Knowledge to practice in oncology rehabilitation: A survey evaluating physical activity promotion for cancer survivors

Thursday, November 10, 2022

10:17 AM – 10:22 AM

Location: Station 1

Presenting Author(s)

Jenna Smith-Turchyn, PT, PhD

Assistant Professor
McMaster University
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada

Non-presenting Author(s)

EB

Elizabeth Ball

Graduate Student/Research Coordinator
McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
CS

Catherine Sabiston, PhD

Professor
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Non-presenting author(s)

SM

Som D. Mukherjee, MD, MSc, FRCP(C)

Research Objectives: To determine the prevalence and content of discussions regarding physical activity (PA) promotion between cancer survivors and their oncology care team at a cancer treatment institution in Canada.

Design: A cross-sectional survey was used to gather data on PA discussions between cancer survivors and their oncology care team.

Setting: Participants were recruited from the Juravinski Cancer Centre (JCC) in Hamilton, Ontario. The JCC is an outpatient facility administering cancer treatments including chemotherapy and radiation.

Participants: One hundred participants completed a survey following a regularly scheduled appointment. Eligible participants were adult cancer survivors (any stage and type) at any time point in their cancer treatment.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures: The survey included thirteen questions regarding PA-related content discussed, satisfaction with PA education, and an assessment of PA level (using the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire).

Results: Most respondents were females (76%) diagnosed with breast cancer (61%). Overall, 66% of respondents had PA-related discussions with their care team at one point during care. Most (54%) said they were satisfied with the PA education provided during treatment. However, only 37% of respondents were considered ‘sufficiently active’ based on the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire. Of respondents who discussed PA, those receiving education from a medical oncologist were significantly more likely to be ‘sufficiently active’ compared to those who received it from a different type of provider (p=0.02).

Conclusions: Most cancer survivors had discussions around PA with an oncology care provider at some point during their cancer treatment and were satisfied with the PA education provided. Further research is needed to determine optimal strategies for facilitating PA promotion and to close the gap between PA discussions and actual cancer survivor behaviour.

Author(s) Disclosures: The authors declare no conflicts. This project was supported by the Canadian Cancer Society and the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation-BRIGHT Run Fund (grant #: T210).

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion participants will be able to describe the prevalence of PA related discussion between survivors of cancer and their oncology care providers at a cancer institution in Ontario, Canada.
Upon completion participants will be able to describe which survivors are most likely to be 'sufficiently active'.
Upon completion participants will be able to consider future strategies to facilitate PA promotion and to close the gap between PA discussions and actual survivor behaviour.