Evaluating a community-based exercise program for women cancer survivors

Abstract 

Approximately 8.9 million cancer survivors live in communities across the United States. As advances in cancer therapy continue to improve survival rates, this number will increase. Nurses in community, ambulatory, and rehabilitative settings are challenged to meet the rehabilitative needs of this population. Research indicates that exercise interventions can improve survivors’ quality of life (QOL). This pilot study examined a community-based exercise program and its impact on women cancer survivors’ QOL. By using a pretest, posttest one-group design, data were collected from two groups on demographics, psychosocial adjustment to illness, mood states, fatigue, symptom distress, and overall QOL. Findings suggested that for some women exercise improved psychological and social well-being. Future research and community-based nursing practice were addressed.