Abstract
PurposeThe purpose of this study was to understand breast, prostate and colorectal cancer clinical nurse specialists’ (CNSs) perspectives on physical activity (PA) promotion and the role of smartphone apps to support PA promotion in cancer care.MethodsCNSs working in breast, prostate or colorectal cancer were recruited via advertisements distributed by professional organizations. In-depth semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsNineteen CNSs participated. The analysis resulted in 4 themes regarding CNSs’ perspectives of PA promotion within cancer care: (i) policy changes in survivorship care have influenced CNSs’ promotion of PA; (ii) CNSs recognize their role in supporting PA but sit within a wider system necessary for effective PA promotion; (iii) CNSs use several techniques to promote PA within their consultations; (iv) remaining challenges in PA promotion. The analysis resulted in 3 themes regarding CNSs’ perspectives on the use of apps to promote PA within cancer care: (i) the influence of apps on access to PA support; (ii) the role of apps in self-directed PA; (iii) implementing apps in cancer care.ConclusionsThe results of this study provide valuable insight into the CNS role and provide a number of important considerations for the development and implementation of PA interventions within cancer care, with a specific focus on smartphone-based interventions.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsCNSs play an important role in PA promotion in cancer care and this research can inform the development of PA interventions delivered via smartphone app for people affected by cancer.
Highlights
Over 14 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer each year, and this is expected to rise to 22 million over the two decades [1]
Regarding clinical nurse specialists’ (CNSs)’ perspectives of physical activity (PA) promotion within cancer care, the analysis resulted in 4 key themes: (i) policy changes in survivorship care have influenced CNSs’ promotion of PA; (ii) CNSs recognize their role in supporting PA but sit within a wider system necessary for effective PA promotion; (iii) CNSs use several techniques to promote PA within their consultations; (iv) remaining challenges in PA promotion
The interview discussions tended to focus less so on the role of smartphone app–based PA interventions and more so on PA promotion more broadly, and this is reflected in these results
Summary
Over 14 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer each year, and this is expected to rise to 22 million over the two decades [1]. In 2012, there were 32 million people worldwide living beyond 5 years of diagnosis [1]. In 2015, it was estimated that there were over 2.5 million people living after a diagnosis of cancer in the UK, and this is expected to increase by 3% each year, to reach almost 4 million by 2030 [3]. The shared risk factors between cancer and heart disease, and toxicity of cancer treatment, can leave people LWBC at increased risk of cardiovascular disease [19, 20]
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