Active Living After Cancer (ALAC) program: An avenue to improve physical functioning and moderate-intensity physical activity in gynecologic cancer survivors.

Abstract

e24034 Background: Active Living After Cancer (ALAC) is a 12-week evidence-based program funded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to provide physical activity and survivorship education to cancer survivors. Given the limited data evaluating the effects of physical activity educational programs in gynecologic cancer survivors, we aim to assess the effects of the ALAC intervention in this patient population. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on gynecologic cancer survivors who participated in ALAC from 2017 to 2021. The 12-week ALAC program included weekly meetings (in-person or virtual) led by a facilitator providing physical activity behavioral skills training, leading 10 minutes of exercise, and discussing topics related to cancer survivorship. Surveys and functional testing assessments were collected pre- and post-program which included: The Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (GSLTPAQ) and 30-second sit-to-stand. A patient-reported outcomes survey was used to assess patient perceived benefits and program satisfaction. Results: Thirty-two patients participated in ALAC and 22 completed pre- and post-program assessments. The mean age of participants was 60.2 years (range 50.7-69.7 years) and mean number of classes attended was 8 (range 0-12 classes). Prior cancer diagnoses included 14 cervical, 11 uterine, and 7 ovarian cancers. A significant improvement was seen pre- and post-ALAC in moderate-intensity physical activity minutes (n = 17, 97 vs 252 minutes, p = 0.007) by GSLTPAQ and 30-second sit-to-stand test (n = 16, 12.3 vs 15.8 repetitions, p = 0.003) in our cohort. The post-ALAC patient reported outcome survey (n = 22) revealed improvement in emotional well-being (90%), physical well-being (91%), physical activity level (100%), comfort speaking openly in a group (85%), and willingness to discuss their cancer journey (66%). Overall, 95.3% of participants were satisfied with the ALAC program and 100% of participants would recommend the ALAC program to other cancer survivors. Conclusions: Educational physical activity-based programs like ALAC improve physical functioning and moderate-intensity physical activity in gynecologic cancer survivors. Further studies on the long-term health benefits of structured educational programs which promote active lifestyles in gynecologic cancer survivors are needed in larger patient cohorts.