A 9-year summary of a mentor-based 5K training program for childhood cancer survivors.

Abstract

96 Background: 5-year survival rate for childhood cancers significantly improved leading to increased awareness to long-term effects associated with these diseases. Many childhood cancer survivors have significantly lower exercise capacity. The POST (Pediatric Oncology Survivorship in Transition) team at Advocate Children’s Hospital created a 5k Program to encourage survivors to return to physical activity. Participants were childhood cancer survivors who had been off therapy or cleared by their oncologist to participate, and who were greater than 9 years old. The Program had weekly 1 hour supervised training sessions and home physical activity assignments over 8-12 weeks in preparation for the 5K. Each participant invited a friend/family member to partner in training and on race day. Methods: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the 5K Program in promoting physical activity and to validate its continuation and expansion. All participants who finished the 5K (n = 68) from 2009-2017 were included in our retrospective chart review. Data collected from the medical records included diagnoses and number of times of participation. An online Qualtrics survey inquired about barriers encountered, subjective experience of having a personal coach and training partner, and additional personal comments. The IRB approved this study. Results: The survey was distributed in October 2017 and complete data collection is anticipated in November 2017. The primary outcome will reflect the effectiveness of the Program in promoting return to physical activity, measured by descriptive survey responses. Secondary outcomes include data collected by retrospective chart review. 44 of 68 (65%) participants completed the 5K multiple times. The majority of these were survivors of leukemia (31) followed by lymphoma (13), solid tumors (9), bone marrow transplant (9), brain tumors (5) and histiocytosis (1). Conclusions: While the 8-12 week program is likely too short to measure physical changes, the high percentage of participants completing multiple 5Ks demonstrates its effectiveness in improving physical endurance. Additional conclusions with full data analysis will be completed by February 2018.