Abstract
Background: We sought to explore the perspective of older breast cancer survivors (BCS) from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds toward physical activity (PA) to inform the design of a PA program that fosters acceptability. Methods: Participants included sixty women, ≥ 65 years, within two years of treatment completion for stage I-III breast cancer. We purposely sampled ≥ ten patients in each race [African-American (AA) and Non-Hispanic White (NHW)] and socioeconomic status (SES) [SES disadvantaged and SES non-disadvantaged] group. Participants completed in-person interviews (n = 60) and follow-up focus groups (n = 45). Thematic analyses were employed. Results: The median age was 71.0 years (range: 65–87 years). Five themes emerged: 1) importance of PA; 2) current PA participants engaged in; 3) influence of race and culture on PA attitudes and beliefs; 4) barriers to PA and facilitators to PA; and 5) PA preferences. Barriers included health issues (43%), particularly cancer treatment side effects such as fatigue. Facilitators included religious faith (38%) and family (50%). Preferences included group exercise (97%) and strength training (80%) due to concerns participants had with diminished upper body strength after cancer treatment. Although AA (59%) and SES non-disadvantaged (78%) participants reported that race and culture influenced their attitudes toward PA, it did not translate to racial and SES differences in preferences. Conclusion: Among older BCS, physical activity preferences were shaped by cancer experience, rather than by race and SES. Physical activity programs for older BCS should focus on addressing cancer treatment-related concerns and should include strength training to ensure PA programs are more acceptable to older BCS.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 235-242 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of Geriatric Oncology |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2018 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- African-American
- Breast cancer
- older
- physical activity
- preferences
- qualitative
- socioeconomic status
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Geriatrics and Gerontology