Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Supportive Care in Cancer
Volume
32
Issue
7
PubMed ID
38888665
Publisher
Springer
School
Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute / School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
70342
Funders
Government of Victoria / Department of Health Western Australian Future Health and Innovation / Edith Cowan University / National Heart Foundation
Grant Number
ECRF22019, 102817
Abstract
Purpose: Cancer survival is improving, making optimal management of long-term treatment-related adverse effects increasingly important. Exercise and a healthy diet are beneficial and regularly recommended in cancer survivorship guidelines; however, few cancer survivors meet these recommendations so there is a need to explore why. This study aimed to understand experiences receiving exercise and diet support among Australian breast and prostate cancer survivors during and following treatment, and to explore what support they would like to receive. Methods: Adults who completed active treatment for breast or prostate cancer were recruited via a private cancer care centre. Using a qualitative descriptive study design, participants attended in-person focus groups that were recorded, transcribed, then analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: In total, 26 cancer survivors (15 breast, 11 prostate) participated in one of seven focus groups (4 breast, 3 prostate). Two themes were developed: 1) It was just brushed over, and 2) Wanting more. Theme 1 reports that exercise, and especially diet, were rarely discussed. If they were, it was often limited to general recommendations. Theme 2 shows that participants wanted more specific and personalised support, and information about how exercise and/or diet could benefit their cancer treatment. Conclusion: Despite strong interest in receiving personalised exercise and diet support, neither are routinely provided to Western Australian breast and prostate cancer survivors. If support was provided, there was inconsistency in the level and type of support provided. These findings identify important gaps in exercise and diet support provision to cancer survivors and will inform future strategies aiming to improve cancer survivorship care.
DOI
10.1007/s00520-024-08652-7
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Dalla Via, J., Andrew, C. R., Baguley, B. J., Stewart, N., Hodgson, J. M., Lewis, J. R., ... & Kennedy, M. A. (2024). Exercise and diet support in breast and prostate cancer survivors: Findings from focus groups. Supportive Care in Cancer, 32(7), 440. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-024-08652-7