title: Rural and small town breast cancer survivors' preferences for physical activity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent data suggests that only 35 % of rural and small town breast cancer survivors are achieving physical activity (PA) guidelines after treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine preferences for PA counseling and programming and barriers to program participation in a sample of rural and small town breast cancer survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survivors (n = 524) residing in rural and small town areas of Alberta, Canada completed a mailed self-report survey that assessed demographic variables, PA, and PA counseling and programming preferences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-eight percent of survivors indicated they would have possibly (i.e., yes or maybe) been interested in being counseled about PA at the time of diagnosis, while 70 % would possibly be interested in being counseled about PA at this current time. Overall, 85 % felt they would possibly be able to participate in a PA program. Receiving chemotherapy was negatively associated with wanting to receive PA counseling (odds ratio [OR] = 0.58; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.39 to 0.86), PA program interest (OR = 0.43; 95 % CI, 0.28 to 0.67), and PA program ability (OR = 0.44; 95 % CI, 0.26 to 0.75). Preferred activities involved walking (51 %), flexibility and related activities (e.g., yoga, stretching) (36 %), and strength training (27 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rural and small town survivors appear to be interested in and able to participate in PA counseling and programs. PA initiatives targeted to the preferences of breast cancer survivors living in nonurban areas may be more likely to facilitate and maintain PA behavior.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Nursing and Health Studies, Faculty of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University, 1 University Drive, Athabasca, Alberta, T9S-3A3, Canada, jeffv@athabascau.ca.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vallance
authors.forename: Celeste
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lavallee
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Culos-Reed
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trudeau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057566:Self Report; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology