Physical activity and cancer: A cross-sectional study on the barriers and facilitators to exercise during cancer treatment

Abstract

• Two-thirds of the individuals decreased their exercise level during treatment. • The prevalence barriers to exercise during treatment were fatigue and lack of knowledge about benefits of exercise and existing programs. • Cancer patients would benefit from thorough and consistent education about exercise during cancer treatment.

Physical activity and breast cancer: Results of a focus group to devise novel exercise interventions for women with breast cancer

“…[17,[19][20][21] Results have found both individual factors and educational factors to limit participation. [17] Individual factors include physical symptoms and fatigue, whereas educational factors relate to a lack of general knowledge on the need to stay physically active during and after treatment, proper exercise prescriptions, and available exercise programs. [17] One of the most startling findings is that there is a lack of education being provided to patients on the benefits of exercise during and after BC treatment.…”

“…[2][3][4] Moderate intensity exercise of various forms has been shown to mitigate many of these side effects, [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] however, it has been found that less than 30% of the population takes part in the recommended level of exercise. [17,18] Barriers to exercise participation for women with BC have been studied thoroughly in the literature. [17,[19][20][21] Results have found both individual factors and educational factors to limit participation.…”

“…[17,18] Barriers to exercise participation for women with BC have been studied thoroughly in the literature. [17,[19][20][21] Results have found both individual factors and educational factors to limit participation. [17] Individual factors include physical symptoms and fatigue, whereas educational factors relate to a lack of general knowledge on the need to stay physically active during and after treatment, proper exercise prescriptions, and available exercise programs.…”

“…[17] Individual factors include physical symptoms and fatigue, whereas educational factors relate to a lack of general knowledge on the need to stay physically active during and after treatment, proper exercise prescriptions, and available exercise programs. [17] One of the most startling findings is that there is a lack of education being provided to patients on the benefits of exercise during and after BC treatment. [17] Barriers to exercise promotion from the perspective of the health care professional (HCP) are not as well documented in the literature.…”

“…[17] One of the most startling findings is that there is a lack of education being provided to patients on the benefits of exercise during and after BC treatment. [17] Barriers to exercise promotion from the perspective of the health care professional (HCP) are not as well documented in the literature. However, recent research in Ontario has found that barriers at the institutional level, HCP level, and patient level may all contribute to a lack of exercise promotion.…”