Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2022

A qualitative study on the experiences of physical activity among women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. (#374)

Kellie Toohey 1 2 , Catherine Paterson 1 2 3 4 , Celeste E Coltman 1 5
  1. University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
  2. University of Canberra, Prehabilitation, Activity, Cancer, Exercise and Survivorship (PACES) Research Group, Bruce, ACT, Australia
  3. ACT Health Services, Palliative Care, Canberra Hospital, ACT Health Services, Canberra, ACT, Australia
  4. Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland
  5. Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, Bruce, ACT, Australia

Aims

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynaecological cancers, with low survival rates and high disease burden. Most women experience reduced physical activity following diagnosis, despite its known benefits. Little is known about the barriers and enablers to physical activity among women affected by ovarian cancer. The primary aim of this study was to explore the barriers and enablers to participation in physical activity in women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive study design was conducted and semi-structured interviews were completed with nine women diagnosed with ovarian cancer (stage I-IV; 40 – 77 years). The interviews took place at the participant’s home via telephone or online video conferencing software Coviu©. An inductive thematic approach, as described by Braun and Clarke, 2006 was used. The organisation and coding of data were completed by hand using NVivo computer software (Version 12.6.0, QSR International Pty Ltd.). Weekly discussions occurred among the research team to ensure that themes accurately represented participant views. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies (COREQ) 32-item checklist was followed.

Results

Thematic analysis of the findings revealed that the main barriers to physical activity were: 1) the lack of referral to an exercise professional within the multidisciplinary cancer team, 2) fear of injury after surgery and during treatment, and 3) treatment-related side-effects inhibiting participation. However, participants also perceived benefits of physical activity which included: physical and psychological health benefits, improving cancer outcomes, and social motivations as key enablers of physical activity.

Conclusions

Physical activity interventions for women with ovarian cancer should address the unique barriers reported by this cohort. Further research and service development are needed to design robust and flexible referral pathways across both private and public cancer services to ensure timely referrals to qualified exercise professionals following a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.