Poster Presentation Cancer Survivorship Conference 2023

Exercise and diet support in Australian breast and prostate cancer survivors: A focus group study (#110)

Jack Dalla Via 1 , Mary Kennedy 1 , Chris Andrew 1 , Brenton Baguley 2 , Nina Stewart 3 , Jonathan Hodgson 1 4 , Joshua Lewis 1 4 5 , Mandy Stanley 6
  1. Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  2. Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
  3. Radiation Oncology, GenesisCare, Perth, WA, Australia
  4. Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
  5. Centre for Kidney Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead School of Public Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  6. School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Introduction: Survival after a cancer diagnosis is improving, making optimal management of long-term treatment-related adverse effects increasingly important. These include an increased risk of cardiac events and fractures, due to cardiotoxicity and accelerated musculoskeletal decline. Regular exercise and a healthy diet have evident physical and psychosocial benefits for cancer survivors, so are regularly recommended in cancer survivorship guidelines. Despite this, few cancer survivors meet these recommendations so there is a need to explore why. The primary aim of this study was to understand exercise and diet support received by breast and prostate cancer survivors during and following treatment.

Methods: Adults who had completed active treatment for breast or prostate cancer with therapies known to have cardiovascular adverse effects were recruited via GenesisCare Oncology. Using a qualitative descriptive study design, participants completed an online questionnaire to obtain background demographic, medical and lifestyle information, then attended an in-person focus group. The focus groups were recorded, transcribed, then analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: A total of 26 cancer survivors (15 breast, 11 prostate; mean age 67 years) participated in one of seven focus groups (4 breast, 3 prostate). Participants reported that exercise, and especially diet, were rarely discussed, and if they were, it was often general recommendations. Participants agreed that more specific information about how exercise and/or diet would benefit their cancer treatment would motivate them to act. Specific support that considered personal preferences, circumstances and capabilities was sought after.

Conclusion: Exercise and diet support are currently not routinely incorporated into the care of Western Australian breast and prostate cancer survivors. If exercise and diet support was provided, there was inconsistency in what was provided, when it was provided, and who provided it. These findings will inform future strategies aiming to improve the delivery of exercise and diet support to cancer survivors.