title: Women's perceived benefits of exercise during and after breast cancer treatment.
abstract: Empirical data support the benefits of physical activity for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. However, the experience of exercising during or after breast cancer treatment has not been fully documented. The purpose of the researchers in this study was to provide an in-depth description of women's experiences with exercising during or after their breast cancer treatments, specifically, their perceptions of the benefits they experienced as a result of participation in an individualized exercise program that included cardiovascular and resistance activities. Forty-five women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer within the previous two years were recruited from two oncology practices after electing to enroll in an exercise program. Data were collected between September 2006 and August 2007 through in-depth interviews at various stages in the exercise program and analyzed simultaneously using thematic analysis methods. Whether in treatment or post-treatment, women attributed psychological, physical, and social benefits to their participation in the exercise program. Participants credited the program with helping them to feel better, regain control over their bodies and their lives, manage their emotions, and prepare them to live healthfully going forward. These results provide insight into the specific ways women experience exercise during and after their breast cancer treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA. bulmers1@southernct.edu
authors.forename: Sandra Minor
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Bulmer
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ackerman
authors.forename: Regan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fedric
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D010809:Physical Fitness; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055070:Resistance Training; D012495:San Francisco; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires