Participating in physical activity (PA) regularly is critical in cancer survivorship, but traditional cancer social support often ignores PA in their organized activities or provided information. PURPOSE: To determine characteristics and needs of PA social support by surveying a group of long-term cancer survivors. METHODS: The cancer support instrument by Smoczyk et al. (1992) was modified, translated and piloted to a small group (n = 20) of cancer survivors in Shanghai, China. The finalized instrument, with a 4-point rating scale (4 = Very important, 3 = Important, 2 = Somewhat Important; 1 = Not Important), was then administered in a face-to-face interview to a total of 194 long-term cancer survivors (50 males & 144 females; age in yr: 55.23±9.89; mean survivorship yr.: 11.22±6.99) through the Shanghai Cancer Recovery School, which provides a regular 3-wk (7 days a wk, living in) Guo-Lin Qi-gong, a body-mind exercise specifically designed for cancer care, intervention. RESULTS: Top 10 reasons for attending social support groups are Get advice from other participants (M±SD: 3.49±.54), Learn Qi-gong for rehab and fitness (3.38±.55), Learn Qi-gong as a part of cancer treatment (3.34±.55), Learn about other alternative methods for cancer treatment (3.34±.66), Relax with other who understand my experience (3.32±.57), Learn to live a healthier life (3.29±.64), Learn to prepare appropriate food (3.25±.66), Learn of current medical research (3.25±.66), Learn about nutrition and healthy diets (3.24±.59), & Learn from other survivors' experience (3.23±.59). Who lead the support group was considered important/very important to them (78.3%) and they preferred "cancer survivors with training" as group leaders (65.5%); group composition was important/very important (71.1%) to participants and they preferred "only cancer survivors" groups; location (66.8%), cost (81.5%), duration of the activity (74.1%) and transportation availability (83.3%) are also considered important/very important to them. CONCLUSIONS: Learning how to exercise, about nutrition, and new lifestyle aspects specific to cancer care are very important to members of cancer support groups. Well planned and structured exercise, nutrition and lifestyle modification information/lessons should be a part of social support for cancer survivors.