Physical activity (PA) and a healthy diet can improve the well-being of cancer survivors. However, cancer survivors often do not engage in these behaviours. This study aimed to explore barriers and facilitators to engaging in these behaviours following cancer treatment.
During the development of a web-based intervention to enhance health-related quality of life in cancer survivors, 32 people who had completed treatment for breast, colon or prostate cancer were presented with an intervention for PA and healthy eating. In-depth think-aloud and semi-structured interviewing techniques were used to elicit perceptions of both behaviours. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Some individuals reported implementing positive health behaviour changes to maintain health and prevent recurrence, or to help them to move forward after cancer. However, others reported feeling abandoned, and many did not report an intention to engage in lifestyle changes. Individuals discussed contextual and health-related barriers that were specifically linked to their situation as post-treatment cancer survivors: individuals described uncertainty about how to implement adaptive changes and perceived a lack of support from healthcare providers. Others viewed behaviour change as unnecessary or undesirable, with some arguing that non-modifiable factors contributed more to their cancer diagnosis than lifestyle-related factors.
For many participants in this study, the period that follows treatment for cancer did not represent a 'teachable moment'. A variety of complex and heterogeneous factors appeared to impact motivation, and may limit cancer survivors from engaging with diet and PA changes.
Psycho-oncology. 2018 Apr 12 [Epub ahead of print]
Teresa Corbett, Tara Cheetham, Andre Matthias Müller, Joanna Slodkowska-Barabasz, Laura Wilde, Adele Krusche, Alison Richardson, Claire Foster, Eila Watson, Paul Little, Lucy Yardley, Katherine Bradbury
School of Psychology, University of Southampton, UK., National University of Singapore Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, Singapore., Centre for Innovative Research Across the Life Course, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, UK., Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton., School of Nursing and Midwifery Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, UK., Primary Care, University of Southampton, United Kingdom.