Abstract
Purpose
The potential of physical activity to improve function and quality of life of an individual with advanced cancer is now established. The purpose of this survey of oncologic healthcare providers (OHPs) is to understand their attitude towards physical activity for individuals living with bony metastases and to assess requirements to confidently provide physical activity recommendations.
Methods
A web-based survey administered through Qualtrics™ included questions on participant demographics and attitude questions ranked on a Likert scale. Eligibility was a physician or nurse practitioner currently providing care in the cancer care system of a public healthcare system in Canada. 338 participants were identified and invited to participate in this survey.
Results
The response rate was 34.6%. The majority of OHPs believed physical activity is important (89%) and safe (82%) in individuals living with bony metastases. OHPs agreed that these individuals looked to them for physical activity recommendations (74%) and that these recommendations would be followed (58%). Yet, 86% of OHPs felt they required more information before they could recommend physical activity to individuals living with bony metastases, and less than half (43%) of OHPs felt confident enough to prescribe physical activity.
Conclusions
OHPs agree that physical activity for individuals living with bony metastatic cancer is beneficial and safe. However, OHPs are not confident in their ability to recommend physical activity to this population.
Implications for Cancer Survivors
There is a need to create physical activity guidelines for individuals living with bony metastases and improve access to rehabilitation services.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Jemal A, Bray F, Center MM, Ferlay J, Ward E, Forman D. Global cancer statistics. CA Cancer J Clin. 2011;61(2):69–90.
Coleman RE. Clinical features of metastatic bone disease and risk of skeletal morbidity. Clin Cancer Res. 2006;12(20 Pt 2):6243s–9s.
Hernandez RK, Wade SW, Reich A, Pirolli M, Liede A, Lyman GH. Incidence of bone metastases in patients with solid tumors: analysis of oncology electronic medical records in the United States. BMC Cancer. 2018;18(1):44.
Cheville AL, Troxel AB, Basford JR, Kornblith AB. Prevalence and treatment patterns of physical impairments in patients with metastatic breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2008;26(16):2621–9.
Axelsson B, Sjoden PO. Quality of life of cancer patients and their spouses in palliative home care. Palliat Med. 1998;12(1):29–39.
Lowe SS, Watanabe SM, Baracos VE, Courneya KS. Physical activity interests and preferences in palliative cancer patients. Support Care Cancer. 2009;18:1469–75.
Jones LW, Courneya KS, Peddle C, Mackey JR. Oncologists' opinions towards recommending exercise to patients with cancer: a Canadian national survey. Support Care Cancer. 2005;13(11):929–37.
Sheill G, Guinan E, Neill LO, Hevey D, Hussey J. Physical activity and advanced cancer: the views of oncology and palliative care physicians in Ireland. Ir J Med Sci. 2018;187(2):337–42.
Jones LW, Courneya KS. Exercise discussions during cancer treatment consultations. Cancer Pract. 2002;10(2):66–74.
MacMillan Cancer Supports. Physical activity for peopel with metastatic bone disease: guidance for healthcare professionals. 2018. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/news-and-resources/guides/physical-activity-for-people-with-metastatic-bone-disease. Accessed 29 Aug 2020.
Acknowledgments
This study was funded through Astellas.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
We have read and understood the Journal of Cancer Survivorship policy on disclosing conflicts of interest and declare that we have none.
Additional information
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Adams, J., Rauw, J., Weller, S. et al. Physical activity recommendations for cancer survivors living with bony metastases: views of oncologic healthcare providers. J Cancer Surviv 15, 414–417 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-021-00999-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-021-00999-8