title: Physician role in physical activity for African-American males undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.
abstract: Physical activity is recognized as a complementary therapy to improve physical and physiological functions among prostate cancer survivors. Little is known about communication between health providers and African-American prostate cancer patients, a high risk population, regarding the health benefits of regular physical activity on their prognosis and recovery. This study explores African-American prostate cancer survivors' experiences with physical activity prescription from their physicians.
  
  
  
  Three focus group interviews were conducted with 12 African-American prostate cancer survivors in May 2014 in St. Louis, MO. Participants' ages ranged from 49 to 79 years, had completed radical prostatectomy, and their time out of surgery varied from 7 to 31 months.
  
  
  
  Emerged themes included physician role on prescribing physical activity, patients' perceived barriers to engaging in physical activity, perception of normalcy following surgery, and specific resources survivors' sought during treatment. Of the 12 men who participated, 8 men (67%) expressed that their physicians did not recommend physical activity for them. Although some participants revealed they were aware of the importance of sustained physical activity on their prognosis and recovery, some expressed concerns that urinary dysfunction, incontinence, and family commitments prevented them from engaging in active lifestyles.
  
  
  
  Transitioning from post radical prostatectomy treatment to normal life was an important concern to survivors. These findings highlight the importance of physical activity communication and prescription for prostate cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Management and Policy, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, P O Box 70264, Johnson City, TN, 37614, USA. WilliamsF2@etsu.edu.
authors.forename: Faustine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8100, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
authors.forename: Kellie R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Imm
authors.affiliation: Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8100, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.|Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Graham A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Colditz
authors.affiliation: Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, Department of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Ashley J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Housten
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1st Floor, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Science and Health Education, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Keon L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.affiliation: Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8100, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.|Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Bettina F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Drake
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010819:Physician's Role; D011379:Prognosis; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D017741:Survivors; D014481:United States
keywords: African-American; Physical activity; Physician; Prescription/communication; Prostate cancer; Survivor