EXercise And Colo-Rectal Cancer Trial

The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a home-based walking and strengthening intervention on physiological, biochemical and psychological outcomes in colo-rectal cancer survivors. The intervention consists of a 12-week home-based walking and strengthening programme for colo-rectal cancer survivors post any anti-cancer treatment. It aims to gradually increase participants physical activity levels so that they start achieving the recommended levels of at least 150 minutes moderate intensity aerobic activity per week and strengthening exercise for all major muscle groups at least twice per week. As well as usual care, the intervention group will receive weekly telephone calls and a behaviour change interview at baseline. Participants will be recruited from the Cancer Centre at the Belfast City Hospital. Assessments will be taken at baseline (0 weeks), post intervention (12 weeks) and also at a 3-month follow-up (24 weeks). The control group will receive the same assessments at the same time-points however they will continue to receive usual care with the intervention information (including pedometer, exercise booklet, diary and behavioural change interview) being given at the 3-month follow-up appointment.

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Maximum age

90 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Dukes A-C colo-rectal cancer patients at least 6 weeks post any-type anti-cancer treatment, as identified by the colo-rectal oncologic and surgical teams at the Cancer Centre, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
* Males and females.
* Over eighteen years of age.
* Physically able to undertake the intervention as described within the HBWS programme by Donnelly and colleagues (2010).
* Ambulatory and without use of a walking aid.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Still undergoing and/or scheduled for further anti-cancer treatment.
* Any presence of cognitive impairment.
* Known co-morbidities which would severely impact upon physical functioning or nutritional status such as poorly controlled diabetes, heart failure, unstable angina, degenerative neuromuscular disease, inborn errors of metabolism, mental health disorder or substance abuse.
* Already meeting the current recommended physical activity guidelines (Schmitz, et al. 2010).
* Unable to understand and communicate in written and oral English and over the phone sufficiently well enough to undertake the self-management programme and weekly telephone review.