Ms Rebecca Cesnik1,2, Dr Kellie Toohey3, Prof Nicole Freene4, Ms Alanah Pike2,4, Prof Stuart Semple2,4
1ACT Health, Canberra, Australia, 2Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australia, 3Physical Activity, Sport and Exercise Research Theme, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast, Australia, 4Faculty of Research, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australia, 5Research Institute of Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, ACT Australia, Bruce, Australia
Biography:
Rebecca Cesnik is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and PhD Candidate. While working clinically she developed a passion for working with people with cancer, and developed the first 'Exercise During Cancer' group in public Canberra services. Since then, she has taught and supported students across allied health, nursing, and medical professions, both clinically and academically; and works on the ACT health workforce strategy to improve the sustainability of workforce within the ACT. Rebecca's passion remains working with people with cancer and improving availability and service design to ensure equitable and access to physical activity services during cancer treatment.
Abstract:
Purpose:
This study aims to understand experiences, barriers and facilitators of participating in physical activity (PA) for people undergoing chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer, their carers and staff.
Issue:
Cancer is a leading cause of death and disability. PA may improve treatment side-effects, cancer outcomes, utilisation of healthcare services and quality-of-life. Despite this, people are insufficiently active during chemotherapy.
Scope:
Participants currently undergoing outpatient chemotherapy in the ACT, their carers and staff completed an interview or focus group; and a questionnaire. Qualitative data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Quantitative data classified activity status and supported qualitative responses.
Outcome:
Participants(n=73) from the three ACT chemotherapy centres contributed (undergoing chemotherapy=23, carers=10, staff=40). Preliminary themes include: PA is part of life, It’s all too much, PA as part of chemotherapy, tailored access to services, physical capability, and organisational and workforce structures. Staff (nursing=21, medical=5, allied health (AH)=14) believed PA during chemotherapy was important but reported challenges to encouraging PA. People undergoing chemotherapy were insufficiently active (57%) and did not meet resistance exercise frequency guidelines (78%).
Conclusion:
PA was important to people undergoing chemotherapy felt where it was supported as part of treatment. History of PA, physical capability, mental capacity and workforce and organisation structures impacted experiences with PA. There are key opportunities to improve PA and commensurate health benefits for people undergoing chemotherapy. Equitable and tailored access to targeted support structures and services can ensure improved health outcomes for people undergoing chemotherapy. There was a desire to integrate PA services into standard care.