Building a healthy body after cancer: Results of a focus group with young adult survivors to inform an intervention for exercise after treatment.

Abstract

164 Background: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors have distinctive and often unmet needs, may lead long lives after treatment, and are a population for whom targeted health supports are limited. Exercise in particular has become increasingly recognized as a vital part of cancer survivors’ health needs, yet, little is known about what interventions would be most appropriate for this population. This ongoing study reports early data on barriers and facilitators to exercise in AYA lymphoma survivors. Methods: We conducted a focus group with five young adult lymphoma survivors. Participants completed questionnaires to assess quality of life, exercise habits, and knowledge about evidence for exercise after cancer treatment. Charts were abstracted for demographic and treatment-related details. The focus group was audio recorded and transcribed. Data is being analyzed thematically to generate applied findings and identify areas for action. Results: Participants were 24-35 years old, 60% male, and an average of 2.97 years from the time of diagnosis. All reported some form of physical activity, with 80% active and 20% moderately active. Preliminary analysis identified fatigue, weight gain, and lack of time as barriers to exercise. Participants identified fatigue particularly in the early survivorship period, and discussed the issue of non-cancer survivor peers not relating with or recognizing fatigue after treatment. 100% of participants reported that someone from their doctor’s office had talked with them about exercise, but indicated during the focus group that this recommendation did not motivate them to exercise. Other themes revolve around the relationship between healthy diet and physical activity. In terms of an intervention, survivors were interested in activity trackers and fitness apps, exercise variety, and fitness groups targeted specifically for AYA survivors. Conclusions: Fatigue, weight gain, and time are barriers to exercise for AYA survivors. Interventions that incorporate fitness tracking technology, provide variety, and/or include other AYA survivors may be successful in this unique population.