Introduction. In Australia, breast cancer is ranked as the second most diagnosed cancer and is the most common type of cancer impacting Australian women (Breast Cancer Network Australia, 2022; National Breast Cancer Foundation, 2022). Furthermore, clinical practice guidelines recommend joint participation of the care team for survivorship via a Shared Care Plan (Cancer Australia) with exercise mentioned as a secondary prevention strategy. Therefore, preliminary understandings were sought within this research to identify preferences, barriers, and facilitators for engaging in exercise as well as evaluate the insights and opinions relating to exercise and health behaviour in women diagnosed with a breast cancer.
Methods. Semi-structured interviews were collected from women with breast cancer during the postpartum period (HREC# 2021-03040) along with those identified as having a genetic mutation (HREC# 2021-02985). An interview schedule was first developed among the research team and was informed by existing data on this topic, relevant literature, and research team expertise in physical exercise, mental health, and qualitative research.
Results. Thematic analysis was applied to the recorded transcription of the included interviews (n = 2). Participant reflections included their diagnosis, plans and experience with treatment, exercise and health-related behaviours. Emerging themes included but were not limited to the importance of social support, adequate opportunity for exercise preparation, and flexibility in session delivery (i.e., days, times, durations, types of activities).
Analysis and Conclusions. The semi-structured interview approach enabled the researchers to receive firsthand experience and feedback pertaining to measuring what is important. Commonalities were identified between participants (e.g., breast cancer treatment approaches and lifestyle recommendations) with obvious variances (e.g., perception of available time to exercise in the postpartum period vs. upon receiving genetic mutation identification). By embedding consumer engagement interviews, the researchers have gathered important insights that will factor in future exercise prescription among similarly diagnosed populations.