Physical activity among cancer survivors—what is their perception and experience?

Abstract

Purpose

Physical activity (PA) plays an important role relating to cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the attitude to and experience with the subject of PA in cancer in a large group of tumour patients.

Methods

A standardised questionnaire was carried out and distributed to patients online and in printed form.

Results

Nine hundred five patients answered the questionnaire. Most tumour patients (60%) received information about PA after their cancer therapy. The Internet was often rated to be inadequate as a source of information. One in two tumour patients were recommended PA by a therapist. During the acute phase, the majority (57% of the 776) did not receive a sport-therapeutic exercise programme. Two thirds (68%) of the 898 patients indicated regularly engaging in PA at least 3 or 5 days per week. In most cases (30% of the 787), 2 to 4 h per week were dedicated to PA. In addition to a desire to increase well-being, enjoyment played a large role. Weakness and lack of willpower are among the most common barriers. Most tumour patients confirmed that PA improved their body awareness (58%) or gave them the feeling that they could do something to better cope with the disease (61%) or feel better (68%).

Conclusion

On the one hand, the information requirements of tumour patients with respect to PA have not been adequately taken into account by practitioners. On the other hand, there are still subjective inhibitions on the part of the patients, which keep them from engaging in PA.

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