Exploring the physical activity behaviours, lived experiences and preferences of teenage and young adults with cancer and beyond.

McLeod, Eilidh

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for both physical and mental health, during and after cancer. However, there is a lack of research focusing on PA within the teenage and young adult (TYA) oncology population. This cohort have distinct physical and psychosocial needs, which may affect their PA behaviours. The aim of this thesis was to explore the PA behaviours, lived experiences and preferences of TYA's with and after cancer. This thesis comprises a scoping review of existing literature related to PA information, interventions, barriers and facilitators within the TYA oncology population aged 16-25 and an explanatory-sequential mixed methods study, utilising an online survey and semi-structured interviews. Overall, the qualitative findings confirm and explain the quantitative findings. Results demonstrate TYA cancer patients and survivors are insufficiently active and do not meet PA guidelines. Both the physical and psychological impact of cancer and its subsequent treatment were found to negatively affect PA behaviours within this cohort. TYA's were interested in PA and rehabilitation following treatment; however, they felt support offered from current services was too general and did not meet their individual needs. Findings highlighted a need for education regarding PA and cancer for both TYA's and their social networks, as well as an unmet need for instrumental and informational support from a healthcare professional (HCP) across the cancer care continuum. Instead of general advice, TYA's seek personalised support, tailored to themselves and their cancer, delivered via a 1-2-1 conversation. TYA's were also found to prefer in-person over virtual support but felt favourably towards a hybrid model. This population were found to self-source PA support through the internet primarily using Google, and the social-media platforms Instagram and YouTube. Although not an objective, this study also provides insight into the impact of COVID-19 on PA within the TYA oncology population. This research provides new knowledge and understanding about the PA behaviours, lived experiences and preferences of TYA cancer patients and survivors, emphasising the importance of personalisation and multidimensional social support. It highlights the need to evaluate the current PA support pathway within the Scottish TYA oncology services.

Citation

MCLEOD, E. 2023. Exploring the physical activity behaviours, lived experiences and preferences of teenage and young adults with cancer and beyond. Robert Gordon University, DPT thesis. Hosted on OpenAIR [online]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-2571177

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Nov 5, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 5, 2024
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-2571177
• Keywords: Cancer patients; Teenagers; Young adults; Physical activity; Exercise; COVID-19
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2571177
• Award Date: Oct 31, 2023