Self-Management of Physical activity in people with colorectal cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Self-Management of physical activity in people with colorectal cancer: an ethnographic study
IRAS ID
181334
Contact name
Jo Armes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 17 days
Research summary
Participation in physical activity (PA) has demonstrated beneficial effects for cancer survivors including reducing risk of cancer re occurrence [1], cancer morbidity and mortality[2] and developing further primary cancers[3]. PA also maintains and restores function[4], improves tolerance to chemotherapy[5] and mediates treatment related side effects including pain, fatigue, and anxiety[6]. Furthermore, PA participation can reduce the elevated risk of developing cardiovascular disease[7], diabetes[8] and osteoporosis[9] associated with cancer.
Despite a strong research base, PA is not a core element of a cancer survivor’s journey with as few as 20% meeting exercise recommendations [10] of 150 minutes moderate exercise a week. The lack of physical activity is demonstrated through evidence of treatment-related functional decline apparent in cancer survivors even 5 years post diagnosis[11]. Barriers to patients participating in physical activity include fatigue, reduced motivation, need for advice and time constraints [12]. While many engage in positive health activities post cancer diagnosis, participation in PA tends to drop [13].
While it is clear that patients benefit from participation in PA, it’s currently not clear how and when that support should be provided and if there are some groups which require greater support than others. While risk stratified levels of care are recommended [14, 15] there is no clear methodology as how identify those in need.
This study will aim to understand how a cancer survivor self manages their physical activity through the cancer pathway.1. Meyerhardt, J.A., et al., Impact of physical activity on cancer recurrence and survival in patients with stage III colon cancer: findings from CALGB 89803. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2006. 24(22): p. 3535-3541.
2. Holmes, M.D., et al., Physical activity and survival after breast cancer diagnosis. Jama, 2005. 293(20): p. 2479-2486.
3. Bauman, A.E., Updating the evidence that physical activity is good for health: an epidemiological review 2000–2003. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2004. 7(1): p. 6-19.
4. Campbell, A., C. Stevinson, and H. Crank, The BASES Expert Statement on exercise and cancer survivorship. J Sports Sci, 2012. 30(9): p. 949-52.
5. van Waart, H., et al., Effect of Low-Intensity Physical Activity and Moderate- to High-Intensity Physical Exercise During Adjuvant Chemotherapy on Physical Fitness, Fatigue, and Chemotherapy Completion Rates: Results of the PACES Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2015.
6. Speck, R.M., et al., An update of controlled physical activity trials in cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Cancer Surviv, 2010. 4(2): p. 87-100.
7. van Nimwegen, F.A., et al., Cardiovascular Disease After Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment: 40-Year Disease Risk. JAMA internal medicine, 2015. 175(6): p. 1007-1017.
8. Kintzel, P.E., et al., Increased risk of metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy, 2008. 28(12): p. 1511-1522.
9. Stava, C.J., et al., Skeletal sequelae of cancer and cancer treatment. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 2009. 3(2): p. 75-88.
10. Glaser, A.W., et al., Patient-reported outcomes of cancer survivors in England 1–5 years after diagnosis: a cross-sectional survey. BMJ open, 2013. 3(4): p. e002317.
11. Ness, K.K., et al., Physical performance limitations and participation restrictions among cancer survivors: a population-based study. Annals of epidemiology, 2006. 16(3): p. 197-205.
12. Keogh, J.W., et al., Perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity in men with prostate cancer: possible influence of androgen deprivation therapy. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl), 2014. 23(2): p. 263-73.
13. Blanchard, C.M., K.S. Courneya, and K. Stein, Cancer survivors’ adherence to lifestyle behavior recommendations and associations with health-related quality of life: results from the American Cancer Society's SCS-II. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2008. 26(13): p. 2198-2204.
14. Watson, E., et al., Personalised cancer follow-up: risk stratification, needs assessment or both? British journal of cancer, 2012. 106(1): p. 1.
15. National-Cancer-Survivorship-Initiative. Vision. January 2010; Available from: http://www.ncsi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/NCSI-Vision-Document.pdf (accessed July 2015).REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EE/0434
Date of REC Opinion
16 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion