ASPO Abstracts
Engaging key stakeholders to understand prostate cancer survivor preferences for and perceived barriers to a lifestyle modification intervention
Category: Lifestyles Behavior, Energy Balance & Chemoprevention, Survivorship & Health Outcomes/Comparative Effectiveness Research
Conference Year: 2018
Abstract Body:
Purpose: To understand prostate cancer survivor preferences for development, implementation, and sustainability of a guideline-based lifestyle modification (LM) intervention. Methods: Using a key informant approach, participants at a prostate cancer support group were asked to fill out a short survey identifying their current diet and physical activity practices and their preferences for a lifestyle intervention. Following a short educational session addressing the role of lifestyle factors in prostate cancer progression, a discussion was facilitated to further probe into participant preferences and barriers. Results: A total of 22 participants–18 prostate cancer survivors and 4 spouses-- completed the survey and engaged in the discussion. Average age of the participants was 63 years with a range of 51 to 81 years. Majority of the participants (92%) identified themselves as non-Hispanic white. Disease stage ranged from T1 to T4 with majority of participants having received surgery or chemotherapy. Most (78%) participants expressed interest in participating in a LM intervention with 72% participants favoring a combination approach (consisting of both nutritional and physical activity component, as opposed to either of them alone). Majority (71%) participants preferred the intervention to be delivered in person rather than online or over the telephone. Challenges to achieving lifestyle modifications were identified as difficulty in making and sustaining LM, lack of knowledge and skills in cooking nutritious meals, time commitment needed to participate in a LM intervention, travel to and from the intervention location, and spousal support. Participants were eager to start a program, but described the need to tailor the intervention to individuals’ skills, interests, and treatment trajectory. Conclusions: The overwhelming majority of prostate cancer survivors demonstrated an interest in participating in a lifestyle modification intervention. They identified areas for tailoring in order to develop an effective intervention.
Keywords: Prostate Cancer Survivorship Lifestyle Modification Patient preferences Barriers