Promoting Physical Activity After Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S. and if detected early, has a favorable prognosis. Colorectal cancer survivors report increased fatigue, low vigor, impaired physical functioning and disturbances in body esteem. However, the group is relatively understudied and the potential benefits of increased physical activity to their recovery have not been examined. This study focuses on enhancing recovery by offering a home-based physical activity program to patients who have completed treatment for colorectal cancer. This study will test the efficacy of the physical activity intervention using a randomized controlled design among 134 patients who have completed treatment for colorectal cancer in the past 2 years. Outcomes will include physical activity behavior, fitness, vigor, fatigue, physical functioning, and body esteem among participants at baseline, 3 (posttreatment), 6 and 12 months. We will also track intervention costs and conduct exploratory analyses of moderators and mediators of change to help guide the future development of physical activity interventions to enhance recovery from colorectal cancer.

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Inclusion Criteria:1) men and women aged \>18 years, 2) completed primary and adjuvant treatment for colon or rectal cancer (Stages 1-3). To allow for adequate recovery from treatment, patients whose only treatment is surgery, will be eligible for study participation 12 weeks after surgery and remain eligible for 2 years. Patients who have received chemotherapy or radiation will become eligible 8 weeks after treatment completion, and will remain eligible up to 2 years posttreatment. 3) \<2 years since treatment completion, 4) able to read and speak English, 5) provide consent for medical chart review, 6) able to walk unassisted, 7) sedentary which will be defined as: currently not exercising for \>30 mins. of moderate-intensity activity on \>2 days per week or \>20 mins. of vigorous activity one or more days per week over the past 6 months, and 8) have access to a telephone.

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Exclusion Criteria:Diabetes, hyperlipidemia and uncontrolled hypertension. Patients who have a positive cardiac history (myocardial infarction, angina, peripheral vascular disease, claudication, transient ischemic attacks, claudication, and past history of stroke) will be asked to obtain written permission from their cardiologist prior to study enrollment.

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• DERIVEDKindred MM, Pinto BM, Dunsiger SI. Association of Body Esteem with Fitness and Body Fat Among Colorectal Cancer Survivors: Secondary Analyses from a Randomized Trial. Int J Behav Med. 2019 Dec;26(6):619-628. doi: 10.1007/s12529-019-09819-x. PMID 31650480