Determinants and factors of physical activity and sedentary behaviors among post-treatment breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer survivors living in France: Results from the DEFACTO study first phase

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the facilitators and barriers to adopting an active lifestyle among post-treatment cancer survivors in France. MethodsBreast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer survivors were recruited. Participants completed a questionnaire covering sociodemographic and clinical factors, physical activity (PA) experiences, variables from the Transtheoretical model, types of motivation, knowledge of PA benefits, barriers to PA, and quality of life. We categorized participants into 4 profiles combining PA level and sedentary behaviors. ResultsOne hundred and seventy-five participants were included. Ordinal logistic regression revealed that the active lifestyle of cancer survivors is influenced by their professional situation (OR, 3.99; 95%CI, 1.76–9.10 and OR, 3.14; 95%CI, 1.45–6.77), the use of self-liberation (OR, 0.41; 95%CI, 0.20–0.82), helping relationships processes of change (OR, 2.45; 95%CI, 1.20–5.00), and quality of life (OR, 1.11; 95%CI, 1.04–1.18). ConclusionsIdentifying the factors associated with PA and sedentary behavior among cancer survivors in France will facilitate the adaptation of programs according to a whole-person approach. Semi-structured interviews will further enhance insights in this mixed-methods study. Practice implicationsInterventions aimed at promoting an active lifestyle among cancer survivors should be customized based on professional situation, the utilization of experiential behavior change processes, and perceived quality of life.