Exercise preference patterns, resources, and environment among rural breast cancer survivors.
BACKGROUND
Rural breast cancer survivors may be at increased risk for inadequate exercise participation.


OBJECTIVE
To determine for rural breast cancer survivors: (1) exercise preference "patterns," (2) exercise resources and associated factors, and (3) exercise environment.


METHODS
A mail survey was sent to rural breast cancer survivors identified through a state cancer registry, and 483 (30%) responded.


RESULTS
The majority (96%) were white, with mean education of 13 (+/-2.5) years and mean 39.0 (+/-21.5) months since diagnosis. Most participants (67%) preferred face-to-face counseling from an exercise specialist (27%) or other individual (40%). A third (31%) preferred home-based exercise with non face-to-face counseling from someone other than an exercise specialist. Participants preferring face-to-face counseling were more apt to prefer supervised exercise (38% vs 9%, P < 0.001) at a health club (32% vs 8%, P < 0.001). Home exercise equipment was reported by 63%, with 97% reporting home telephone and 67% reporting Internet access. Age, education, self-efficacy, treatment status, and exercise behavior were associated with exercise resources. The physical environment was often not conducive to exercise but a low crime rate and high trust in neighbors was reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Rural health education programs encouraging exercise should offer multiple programming options while considering the physical environment and capitalizing on available resources and beneficial social environmental characteristics.
Department of Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62794-9636, USA. lrogers@siumed.edu
Laura Q
LQ
Rogers
Stephen J
SJ
Markwell
Kerry S
KS
Courneya
Edward
E
McAuley
Steven
S
Verhulst
D000367:Age Factors; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D020446:Fitness Centers; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D008875:Middle Aged; D057240:Patient Preference; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors