Abstract
Physical activity after cancer diagnosis has been consistently associated with improvements in quality of life and prognosis. However, few cancer survivors meet physical activity recommendations, and adherence is even lower among those living in rural settings. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the implementation of a clinic-based physical activity program for cancer survivors at a rural community oncology setting. We also examined changes in quality-of-life measures among 24 cancer survivors participating in the physical activity program and described challenges and opportunities to optimize future implementation efforts in rural settings. Significant pre- to post-program improvements in fatigue (5.5 to 6.8; p = 0.03), constipation (7.7 to 9.0; p = 0.02), pain (6.7 to 8.0; p = 0.007), and sleep quality (p = 0.008) were observed. Participants also reported improved nausea, stamina, depression, stress, and overall physical health after participation in the physical activity program, although the differences were not statistically significant (all p-values > 0.13). However, the reach of the physical activity program was limited, with only 0.59% of cancer survivors participating. Fidelity to the physical activity program was relatively high, with 72.7% of survivors participating in at least five classes. Our findings suggest that physical activity programs in oncological settings may need tailoring to effectively reach rural cancer survivors.
Highlights
Physical activity after cancer diagnosis has been consistently linked with improvements in multiple cancer-related health outcomes, including fatigue, quality of life, physical functioning, and overall prognosis [1,2]
Results from a recent pooled analysis of 26 observational studies suggest a 37% lower risk of dying from cancer among individuals engaging in higher levels of physical activity, with consistent risk reductions observed across breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer survivors [2]
Supported by this growing body of evidence demonstrating the benefits of physical activity in cancer survivorship, several national and international organizations have published clinical guidelines recommending regular exercise for individuals diagnosed with cancer [1,3,4,5]
Summary
Physical activity after cancer diagnosis has been consistently linked with improvements in multiple cancer-related health outcomes, including fatigue, quality of life, physical functioning, and overall prognosis [1,2]. Results from a recent pooled analysis of 26 observational studies suggest a 37% lower risk of dying from cancer among individuals engaging in higher levels of physical activity, with consistent risk reductions observed across breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer survivors [2]. Supported by this growing body of evidence demonstrating the benefits of physical activity in cancer survivorship, several national and international organizations have published clinical guidelines recommending regular exercise for individuals diagnosed with cancer [1,3,4,5]. Rural areas are often underrepresented in cancer research [10], and are one of
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