Cancer Patients' Long-term Experiences of Participating in a Comprehensive Lifestyle Intervention Study While Receiving Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background Lifestyle interventions seem promising with regard to cancer patients' potential for physical and psychological health benefits and as an empowerment tool. Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge concerning cancer patients' longer-term experiences of participating in comprehensive lifestyle interventions. Objective The aim of this study was to explore cancer patients' long-term experiences of participating in a 12-month individualized comprehensive lifestyle intervention study focusing on physical activity, diet, smoking cessation, and stress management while receiving curative or palliative chemotherapy. Methods A qualitative design with semistructured interviews of 7 curative and 7 palliative cancer patients was conducted 12 months after inclusion in lifestyle intervention. Data were analyzed following a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach. Results Two main themes emerged: (1) awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle during cancer treatment and (2) individual follow-up; it's good to have someone to talk to. Conclusions Participation in a 12-month comprehensive lifestyle intervention is both feasible and desirable in curative and palliative patients. However, although the curative participants' motivation and perceived ability to adhere to lifestyle recommendations increased during the intervention period, the palliative participants' perceived ability to adhere decreased even though they were overall highly motivated. Implications for Practice Our findings encourage the future implementation of lifestyle interventions during cancer treatment, even in cancer patients with advanced disease. However, when implementing lifestyle interventions, healthcare professionals must keep the patients' motivation, perceived ability to adhere to lifestyle recommendations, and individual needs in mind.

The Symptom Experience and Self-management Strategies of Women Undergoing Cervical Cancer Treatment

“…A possible reason for this difference may be due to the women’s physical level at the time of diagnosis. Other studies found that many cancer patients become more sedentary and inactive during treatment 40 . A systematic review by Lin et al 41 stated that a small number of randomized controlled trials and feasibility studies have documented that physical activity is feasible and safe for women with gynecological cancer.…”

“…Other studies found that many cancer patients become more sedentary and inactive during treatment. 40 A systematic review by Lin et al 41 stated that a small number of randomized controlled trials and feasibility studies have documented that physical activity is feasible and safe for women with gynecological cancer. In addition, a recent randomized counseling intervention study found that two-thirds of cervical cancer survivors did not meet national recommendations for health behaviors.…”

How a Medically Tailored Meal Intervention with Intensive Nutrition Counseling Created Active Coping with Behavior Change for Vulnerable Patients with Lung Cancer

“…For example, we learned that person-centered motivational interviewing and medically tailored meals are key ingredients for promulgating an adjustment to diagnosis and active coping with self-care. Furthermore, understanding how this food is medicine intervention worked is signi cant because a cancer diagnosis has complex psychological and physical impacts [22][23][24]. Patients report feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of care, feeling ill-prepared to manage side effects of treatment, isolated, unsupported, and "out of their depth" [23].…”

“…Patients report feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of care, feeling ill-prepared to manage side effects of treatment, isolated, unsupported, and "out of their depth" [23]. Despite this, cancer patients engaged in NutriCare and other nutrition and lifestyle interventions report creating personal growth since lifestyle changes are challenges that patients can control at a time of uncertainty [22,24]. This ability to learn and change despite experiencing adversity is remarkable but aligns with transformative learning and social-cognitive transition models where one is challenged to question existing habits for personal growth [25,26].…”

A theoretical explanation for how a nutrition counseling and medically tailored meal delivery program benefitted participants living with lung cancer

“…Patients report feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of care, feeling ill-prepared to manage side effects of treatment, isolated, unsupported, and “out of their depth” [ 34 ]. Despite this, cancer patients engaged in NutriCare and other nutrition and lifestyle interventions report creating personal growth since lifestyle changes are challenges that patients can control during a time of uncertainty [ 33 , 35 ]. This ability to learn and change despite experiencing adversity is remarkable but aligns with transformative learning and social-cognitive transition models where one is challenged to question existing habits for personal growth [ 36 , 37 ].…”