The implementation of an oncologist referred, exercise self‐management program for older breast cancer survivors

Background : With increased breast cancer survivor rates among older women, the negative outcomes of breast cancer treatment may linger for years. Method : We designed and implemented an oncologist referred, exercise self‐management program to increase physical activity and health‐related quality of life using a pretest–posttest, single group design. We recruited 34 breast cancer survivors seen for a follow‐up oncology visit at two university cancer treatment centers. Women with a mean age of 59.6 years (S.D.=66) comprised the sample. Average time since diagnosed was 3.1 years; 45% had stage I breast cancer and 55% had stage II; 62% received chemotherapy and 59% received a mastectomy. Following a baseline assessment on exercise support, self‐efficacy, barriers and benefits; quality of life; and a functional performance test, subjects participated in self‐management classes and received telephone support. Participants ( n =30) repeated the assessment at 6‐months. We compared scores between time periods using t ‐tests. Results : Older women increased frequency of weekly, moderate physical activities ( p ⩽0.04), and weekly caloric expenditure ( p ⩽0.02). Perceived exercise barriers ( p ⩽0.02), aerobic endurance ( p <0.04) and lower body strength ( p <0.03) approached significance, and health‐related quality of life ( p ⩽0.001) significantly improved. Conclusion : An exercise self‐management format referred by an oncologist is efficacious for implementing a lifestyle modification change among older breast cancer survivors. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.