Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the frequency of physical activity among female pelvic cancer survivors (i.e., gynecological, rectal, and anal cancer survivors) and to investigate if survivors who practiced physical activity less than once a week differed from survivors practicing physical activity at least once a week with respect to urinary and fecal leakage, clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, quality of life (QoL), and depressed and anxious mood.MethodsFemale pelvic cancer survivors (n = 578, mean age 64 years) answered a questionnaire 6–48 months after radiotherapy. A multivariable regression model analyzed factors covarying with frequency of physical activity. We compared QoL and depressed and anxious mood between women practicing physical activity at least or less than once a week.ResultsOf 568 women delivering data, 186 (33%) practiced physical activity less than once a week while 382 (67%) practiced physical activity at least weekly. Women who leaked a large or all volume of stools (p = 0.01), had just elementary school level of education (p < 0.001), smokers (p = 0.049), or had lymphedema without receiving lymphedema treatment (p = 0.030) were more likely to practice physical activity less than weekly (50%, 45%, 45%, and 37%, respectively) compared with other women. Women practicing physical activity at least weekly reported better QoL (p < 0.001) and lower frequency of depressed mood (p = 0.044) compared with the others.ConclusionsFemale cancer survivors experiencing fecal leakage were less likely to practice weekly physical activity than survivors without leakage. The survivors practicing weekly physical activity experienced better QoL and experienced depressed mood less frequently than the others.
Highlights
Several studies have found that physical activity results in health benefits for cancer survivors [1], but few studies [2,3,4] have investigated the adherence to and potential barriers to physical activity in female cancer survivors after pelvic radiotherapy
SD = standard deviation physical activity less than once a week differed from survivors practicing physical activity at least once a week regarding urinary and fecal leakage, clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, quality of life, and depressed and anxious mood
Of the 98 women who reported fecal leakage without forewarning anytime within the preceding 6 months, 50% practiced physical activity less than once a week (p < 0.001), compared with 30% of the 448 women who did not report any fecal leakage without forewarning when answering a question regarding volume of fecal leakage (Table 3)
Summary
Several studies have found that physical activity results in health benefits for cancer survivors [1], but few studies [2,3,4] have investigated the adherence to and potential barriers to physical activity in female cancer survivors after pelvic radiotherapy. Previous studies observed that physical activity in cancer survivors can produce a variety of beneficial health effects [1, 6] and has a relationship with reduced risk of recurrence and mortality in cancer, for example, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, and rectal cancer [7, 8]. Pelvic cancer survivors) gave informed consent and received the studyqusetionaire. Not alive (n=212) Cannot be reached due to relocation or missing phone number (n=19) Were incorrectly registered in the electronic record system (n=6) Did not comply with the study criteria (n= 309): Did not speak Swedish (n=30) Physical restriction; too frail to answer (n=107) Psychological restriction (dementia, mental retardation, psychosocial ill health, crisis, unprocessed crisis (n=27) Recidivism or ongoing cancer (n=141) Received radiotherapy less than half a year ago (n=4).
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