Cancer-related impairments influence physical activity in uterine cancer survivors.
BACKGROUND
The extent to which physical activity (PA) participation among uterine cancer survivors may be limited by physical and functional impairments (PFI) related to cancer treatment is unknown. We sought to describe PA participation, characterize the prevalence of PFI, and examine the association between PFI status and PA participation within this population.


METHODS
We conducted a study using a mailed survey among uterine cancer survivors who received treatment at a university hospital. We asked about PA and PFI using validated self-report questionnaires. PA was calculated using MET-hours per week (MET·h·wk). PFI was defined as having one or more of the following symptoms: lower limb lymphedema, general pain, fatigue, or severe bladder, bowel, or pelvic issues. Ordinal logistic regression was used to quantify the odds ratio (OR) between PA and PFI.


RESULTS
The response rate to our survey was 43%. Among the 213 study participants, 40%, 13%, 13%, 12%, and 23% reported participating in <3.0, 3.0-8.9, 9.0-17.9, 18.0-26.9, and ≥27.0 MET·h·wk of PA, respectively. Walking is the preferred mode of exercise for physically active uterine cancer survivors. Of the survivors, 53% experience at least one PFI. The most common PFI is lower limb lymphedema (36.2%), followed by general pain (22.5%). The OR of PFI decreased as MET-hours per week of PA increased (OR, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-0.84; P = 0.009).


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of uterine cancer survivors experience PFI that significantly reduce the likelihood of PA participation. PA recommendations for uterine cancer survivors should take into account treatment-related impairments that can affect PA participation.
1Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; 2Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ; and 3Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Sean M
SM
Hammer
Justin C
JC
Brown
Saya
S
Segal
Christina S
CS
Chu
Kathryn H
KH
Schmitz
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D016138:Walking