Attitudes and Beliefs of Older Female Breast Cancer Survivors and Providers About Exercise in Cancer Care

Objectives: To understand breast cancer survivors’ and providers’ attitudes and beliefs regarding exercise counseling and structured exercise programs within cancer care.

Sample & Setting: 61 female breast cancer survivors and 11 breast cancer providers from a university cancer center in the Pacific Northwest.

Methods & Variables: Survivors completed anonymous self-report surveys, and providers participated in semistructured interviews. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and interview transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results: Breast cancer survivors and providers believed that including exercise counseling within cancer care was important. More than half of the survivors reported that they would attend structured exercise classes; a majority of providers thought cancer centers should offer exercise programs.

Implications for Nursing: Nurses could facilitate exercise counseling within cancer care and advocate for clinic-based exercise programs.