When helping helps: exploring health benefits of cancer survivors participating in for-cause physical activity events

Experiences, behaviours, and perspectives of young cancer survivors on physical activity

This narrative review aimed to identify young cancer survivors' behaviours, experiences, and perspectives concerning physical activity, and identify useful strategies for promoting a healthy lifestyle. A manual search on the following databases was conducted: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search was conducted between June 1, 2023, and April 12, 2024. Articles published from database inception up to April 12, 2024, were retrieved. Articles published in any language were considered. Perspectives including ideas, perceived barriers, and facilitators have been identified. Young cancer survivors seem to engage in physical activity as a useful coping strategy to regain normality and keep healthy after the cancer diagnosis. Although emotional and social support seems fundamental to increase participation, several other factors, including physical limitations, fatigue, sex, cancer type, and socio-economic status can influence physical activity participation. For those engaged in physical activity, the preferred activities are walking, biking, going to the gym, and exercising at home, while the least preferred are exercising at the hospital or boot camp-based exercises. Yoga is more frequently chosen by those still under treatment. Young cancer survivors appear to have unique needs different from those of adult cancer survivors. Mode of treatment delivery, increased awareness concerning the effects of physical activity, including families and friends, connecting survivors, and providing social support together with increasing motivation are key strategies for the promotion of physical activity in young cancer survivors. Fitness and healthcare professionals should consider these aspects to increase young cancer survivors' involvement in physical activities.

Examining Health Behaviors of Chronic Disease Caregivers in the U.S

INTRODUCTION

Many informal caregivers experience a significant caregiving burden, which may interfere with their health behaviors. Caregiver health behaviors may vary by disease context, but this has rarely been studied. This study compares the health behaviors of prevalent groups of chronic illness caregivers (i.e., dementia, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema, diabetes) with those of noncaregivers and examines whether caregiving intensity is associated with these behaviors.

METHODS

In 2021, using pooled cross-sectional 2015-2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, health behaviors (i.e., physical activity, diet, alcohol use, smoking, sleep, and influenza immunization) of caregivers of patients with dementia (n=5,525), cancer (n=4,246), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema (n=1,959), and diabetes (n=2,853) and noncaregivers (n=203,848) were compared. Relationships between caregiving intensity (e.g., hours, type of tasks) and caregiver health behaviors were examined. Regression analyses were used to compare groups.

RESULTS

Compared with noncaregivers, caregiver groups were more likely to report engaging in both risky (i.e., smoking, shorter sleep duration) and health-promoting (i.e., physical activity, vegetable consumption, abstaining from heavy drinking) behaviors, whereas nonsignificant differences were observed for influenza immunization. Longer caregiving hours and providing help with personal care were associated with poorer health behaviors (e.g., shorter sleep duration). Few differences in health behaviors were observed between caregivers of patients with dementia and other caregiver groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that caregivers are more likely to engage in both risky and health-promoting behaviors than noncaregivers. Furthermore, findings suggest that greater caregiving responsibilities are associated with certain risky health behaviors. Findings support the development and implementation of strategies to improve caregivers' health behaviors across disease contexts.

Charity-based incentives motivate young adult cancer survivors to increase physical activity: a pilot randomized clinical trial

To determine the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of an eHealth intervention with charity-based incentives to increase physical activity (PA) among young adult cancer survivors. Participants were randomized into two groups: PA (N = 25; Fitbit, step goal, electronic weekly newsletter) or PA + Charity (N = 26; same as PA plus charity donation if step goal achieved). At baseline and 12 weeks, steps/day were assessed using an activPAL. Motivation (e.g., BREQ-3) and patient reported outcomes (e.g., sleep quality, fatigue) were self-reported. The mean age was 36.8 years, 56.9% were Non-Hispanic White. We retained 82% (42/51) of participants. The PA + Charity vs. PA group had significantly higher satisfaction with intervention experience (100% vs 85%), greater increases in steps/day (1689 vs 516) and increases in overall self-determination score (13.5 vs 2.2). Both groups significantly improved sleep quality and reduced fatigue. A low-intensity eHealth intervention with charity-based incentives was feasible, acceptable, increased PA and self-determination.Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03322059.