Physical activity predictors and preferences among gynaecological cancer survivors. — ASN Events
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Physical activity predictors and preferences among gynaecological cancer survivors. (#152)

Laal Farrokhzadi 1 , Haryana Dhillon 2 , Jane Young 1 , Chris Goumas 1 , Anne Cust 1
  1. The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  2. Centre for Medical Psychology & Evidence-based Decision-making, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia

Aim: To examine physical activity predictors and preferences among gynaecological cancer survivors, at different stages of the cancer care journey.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 101 women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer within the previous two years, and whose clinical care was managed at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital or the Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney. Physical activity in the last 7 days using the Active Australia questionnaire, and classified participants as ‘sufficiently active’ (≥ 150 mins/week from walking, moderate and vigorous activities, with the latter double-counted), ‘insufficiently active’ (1-149 mins/week) and sedentary (0 mins/week). Odds ratios (OR) for being sufficiently active and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariate logistic regression.

Results: About half (53%) of participants reported ‘sufficient’ physical activity, 35% were ‘insufficiently active’ and 12% were sedentary. Predictors associated with ‘sufficient’ physical activity were being in the ‘follow-up’ stage of cancer care (OR 9.9, 95% CI 1.6-63.5 compared with pre-treatment, during treatment and advanced disease stages), a healthy weight (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.0-0.8 for a body mass index ≥ 25 versus < 25 kg/m2) and pre-diagnosis total physical activity (OR 18.2, 95% CI 2.8-119.0 for the highest versus lowest tertile). There was a weak association with employment status (OR 4.5, 95% CI 0.9-23.5 for ‘not working’ versus ‘working’). Age, marital status, education, cancer type, and treatment were not significantly associated with being sufficiently active. About a third (36%) of participants were interested in participating in a physical activity program, and the preferred time to start was 3-6 months after treatment (26%) or during treatment (23%).

Conclusions: The results from this study will help identify gynaecological cancer survivors who need assistance with improving their physical activity levels, and will assist the development of physical activity programs.