Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA) in cancer survivorship, the majority of survivors do not meet the recommended PA guidelines. ⢠Previous research in ...
A comparison of physical activity preferences among breast, prostate and colorectal cancer survivors in Nova Scotia Cynthia C Forbes1, MSc, Chris M Blanchard, PhD2, W Kerry Mummery, PhD1, & Kerry S. Courneya, PhD1 1Faculty
of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; 2Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
INTRODUCTION • •
• • •
METHODS
Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA) in cancer survivorship, the majority of survivors do not meet the recommended PA guidelines. Previous research in PA preferences among cancer survivors suggests there may be differences across different cancer survivor groups, but no study has directly compared preferences. Moreover, no studies to date have assessed the PA preferences of prostate cancer survivors or cancer survivors living in Nova Scotia, Canada. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Atlantic Provinces have some of the highest cancer rates in Canada. Approximately 45% of Nova Scotians in 2006 were considered rural (compared to 20% Canadian average). A study among rural breast cancer survivors in Alberta showed the majority of participants indicated that travel was their main barrier to engaging in PA.
CONCLUSIONS • Breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer survivors have a number of important differences in PA preferences that may inform targeted PA interventions for these groups. • Prostate cancer survivors were less likely to prefer PA with friends or other survivors, engaging in PA at a community fitness centre, and having supervised and group sessions. • Walking was the most preferred summer and winter activity among all three survivor groups. This is consistent with previous research among cancer survivors. • Demographic and medical characteristics most consistently associated with PA preferences among all 3 cancer survivor groups were age, current PA levels and perceived general health. • There were differences in PA preferences among the cancer survivor groups that may justify targeting PA interventions based on cancer site (as has been done for breast and colon cancer survivors).
RECRUITMENT • Cancer Care Nova Scotia (CCNS) and the Nova Scotia Cancer Registry (NSCR) generated a stratified random sample of 2100 BCS, PCS and CRCS (700 from each survivor group). • Eligibility criteria: 1) aged between 1880 years, 2) current residents of Nova Scotia, and 3) had a diagnosis of BCS, PCS or CRCS. MEASURES • Participants were mailed a questionnaire gathering information regarding the following variables: • Demographic, medical and behavioural variables. • PA minutes were calculated from moderate and vigorous PA information collected using a modified version of the LSI from the LTEQ. • PA counselling preferences were measured using three close ended items. • PA program preferences were assessed using a mixture of open and close ended items.
Primary purpose: to compare the PA preferences across breast (BCS), prostate (PCS) and colorectal cancer survivors (CRCS) from Nova Scotia, Canada. Secondary purpose: to examine the associations of demographic and medical characteristics with PA preferences within each cancer survivor group. Hypothesis: • We hypothesized that the majority of cancer survivors in Nova Scotia would prefer to: • engage in moderate intensity PA, • at home, • begin sometime after treatment, • and would prefer walking as the primary type of activity.
RESULTS ANALYSES • Chi-square analyses were used to determine the associations between cancer site (breast, prostate, and colorectal) and PA preferences. • Chi-square analyses were also used to examine the associations between demographic and medical variables with PA preferences within each cancer site.
Acknowledgments Contact Information
Where to do PA
*
70
60
80
70
*
40
50 Breast Prostate
30
Colorectal
Percentage
Percentage
*
60
50
Breast 40
Prostate Colorectal
30 20 20 10
10
0
0 Alone
Other cancer survivors
Family
Friends
Spouse
Outside in community
Preference for supervision
Home
Community fitness centre
Cancer centre
Preference for group PA
70
80
70
60
60
Breast
40
Prostate Colorectal 30
50
Percentage
Percentage
50
Breast Prostate
40
Colorectal
30 20 20 10
10
0
0 Supervised/ instructed
Unsupervised/ self-paced
Group
Most preferred summer PA
Individual
Most preferred winter PA
90
60
80 50 70
40 Breast
50
Prostate Colorectal
40
30
Percentage
60
Percentage
RESULTS • Study population: Male (55%), Caucasian (97%), married (80%), not working (70%), average age of 65.6 years, 50% had stage II disease, mean years since diagnosis was 4.3, 90% had surgery, 47% overweight (BMI 25-29.9) and 26% obese (BMI ≥ 30). • Most preferred to receive PA info from a fitness expert at a cancer centre (51%) or from CCNS or the Canadian Cancer Society (44%) via print materials (61%), face to face (34%), or email (33%). • Most common preferences were to start a PA program 3-6 months after treatment (34%), to engage in PA with friends (53%) or spouse (50%), outside in neighbourhood (67%), and in the morning (57%). Sessions that were moderate intensity (65%), different each time (64%), unsupervised (53%), scheduled (60%), and individual activities (61%) were preferred. • Some of the larger differences (>20% difference) among BC, PC and CRC survivors, respectively, were identified: • for engaging in PA with other cancer survivors (42% vs. 22% vs. 30%; p
