title: Physical activity levels and barriers to exercise referral among patients with cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Physical activity after cancer is associated with a lower rate of adverse effects and better survival. The objectives of this study were to assess the exercise levels of people living with and beyond cancer attending a local oncology unit, and explore their attitudes to supervised exercise referral.
  
  
  METHODS
  134 patients attending the oncology unit over a 2 month period were approached to complete a questionnaire about their exercise levels and barriers to exercise.
  
  
  RESULTS
  12 of 114 (11%) patients were classed as active according to the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire. Despite receiving written and verbal explanations about the benefits of exercise, 44% of eligible patients declined exercise referral, with health concerns, time pressures, and the perception that they were already adequately exercising stated as the most common justifications. Overall, 82% met one or more of the current indications for the National Exercise Referral Scheme, so even in regions where the inclusion criteria have not been broadened to include cancer, this scheme is a practical option for most.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is clear from these results that we are failing to motivate cancer patients into healthier lifestyles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further efforts are needed to determine and implement behavioural change strategies.
authors.affiliation: University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK; The Primrose Oncology Unit, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, Bedford, UK. Electronic address: ddyang21@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Dorothy Daiyi
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK; The Primrose Oncology Unit, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, Bedford, UK.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hausien
authors.affiliation: University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK; The Primrose Oncology Unit, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, Bedford, UK.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aqeel
authors.affiliation: University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK; The Primrose Oncology Unit, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, Bedford, UK.
authors.forename: Alexios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Klonis
authors.affiliation: Macmillan Cancer Support, London, UK.
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK.
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Renshaw
authors.affiliation: The Primrose Oncology Unit, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, Bedford, UK; Department of Oncology, Addenbrooke's Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Cambridge, UK. Electronic address: robert.thomas@addenbrookes.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Behavioural change; Cancer survivors; Exercise referral; Lifestyle; Physical activity