Aims: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the barriers, facilitators, perceptions and preferences of physical activity across the cancer continuum in women diagnosed with recurrent ovarian cancer.
Methods: Women enrolled in the Exercise During Chemotherapy for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer (ECHO-R) phase II clinical trial were invited to participate. Semi-structured interviews, guided by Social Cognitive Theory, were conducted by two interviewers via video conferencing. All interviews were recorded, and audio was transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and data were analysed using an adaptive thematic approach. Recruitment, data collection and analysis proceeded concurrently until data saturation was reached.
Results: Six themes emerged from 13 participant interviews: (1) impediments and facilitators of physical activity; (2) perceived benefits and risks of physical activity; (3) the importance of receiving physical activity information, advice and support from healthcare professionals; (4) use of personal and learnt strategies to facilitate participation in physical activity; (5) experience with physical activity and satisfaction with the ECHO-R trial; and (6) preferences for physical activity participation (type, location and company during activity). Findings suggest that some barriers, facilitators, perceptions and preferences evolve following diagnosis of primary ovarian cancer, and that a diagnosis of recurrent disease influence some factors further. The importance of receiving information, advice and support for participating in physical activity was emphasised by participants.
Conclusion: Physical activity participation post-cancer diagnosis requires consideration of individual circumstances among implementation of behaviour change strategies.