A qualitative study exploring health perceptions and factors influencing participation in health behaviors in colorectal cancer survivors

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Author(s)
Hardcastle, Sarah J
Maxwell-Smith, Chloe
Zeps, Nik
Platell, Cameron
O'Connor, Moira
Hagger, Martin S
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2017
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Show full item recordAbstract
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore colorectal cancer survivors’ health perceptions following
cessation of active treatment for cancer and to explore the factors influencing participation in
health-promoting behaviors that may help reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants that had completed active treatment
for cancer within the previous 2 years. Participants were colorectal cancer survivors (N = 24,
men = 11, women = 13, M age = 69.38 years, SD = 4.19) recruited from a private hospital in Perth,
Australia on the basis that they had existing morbidities ...
View more >Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore colorectal cancer survivors’ health perceptions following cessation of active treatment for cancer and to explore the factors influencing participation in health-promoting behaviors that may help reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants that had completed active treatment for cancer within the previous 2 years. Participants were colorectal cancer survivors (N = 24, men = 11, women = 13, M age = 69.38 years, SD = 4.19) recruited from a private hospital in Perth, Australia on the basis that they had existing morbidities that put them at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Five main themes emerged: back to normal; the pleasures in life: ‘is it worth it?’; beliefs about health behavior; skepticism of eating guidelines; and lack of motivation. The majority of participants felt they were in good health and had made a full recovery. Participants questioned whether it was worth changing their lifestyle given their life stage and referred to the desire to enjoy life. Lay health beliefs, skepticism of eating guidelines, and a lack of motivation were barriers to change. Conclusions: Interventions should target lay beliefs and skepticism in relation to health behaviors in order to reinforce the importance and value of participating in health-related behavior. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Findings may inform the development of effective, patientcentered interventions that target lay health beliefs and build motivation for health behavior change.
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View more >Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore colorectal cancer survivors’ health perceptions following cessation of active treatment for cancer and to explore the factors influencing participation in health-promoting behaviors that may help reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants that had completed active treatment for cancer within the previous 2 years. Participants were colorectal cancer survivors (N = 24, men = 11, women = 13, M age = 69.38 years, SD = 4.19) recruited from a private hospital in Perth, Australia on the basis that they had existing morbidities that put them at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Five main themes emerged: back to normal; the pleasures in life: ‘is it worth it?’; beliefs about health behavior; skepticism of eating guidelines; and lack of motivation. The majority of participants felt they were in good health and had made a full recovery. Participants questioned whether it was worth changing their lifestyle given their life stage and referred to the desire to enjoy life. Lay health beliefs, skepticism of eating guidelines, and a lack of motivation were barriers to change. Conclusions: Interventions should target lay beliefs and skepticism in relation to health behaviors in order to reinforce the importance and value of participating in health-related behavior. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Findings may inform the development of effective, patientcentered interventions that target lay health beliefs and build motivation for health behavior change.
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Journal Title
Psycho-Oncology
Copyright Statement
© 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: A qualitative study exploring health perceptions and factors influencing participation in health behaviors in colorectal cancer survivors, Psycho-Oncology,
Volume 26, Issue 2, Pages 199-205, 2017, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.4111. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving (http://olabout.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-828039.html)
Subject
Clinical sciences
Oncology and carcinogenesis
Oncology and carcinogenesis not elsewhere classified
Psychology