Building a Healthy Body after Cancer: Young Adult Lymphoma Survivors' Perspectives on Exercise after Cancer Treatment

Purpose: Our goals were to evaluate young adult lymphoma survivors' perceptions regarding benefits of exercise after cancer treatment, to identify barriers to exercise, and to understand the types of exercise interventions that may be useful in this patient population. Methods: Young adult lymphoma survivors were invited to participate in a survey and focus group. Questions focused on elucidating barriers to exercise as well as potential opportunities for supporting patients in adequate exercise. Focus groups were audiorecorded and transcribed, and data were coded inductively for themes and applied findings. Results: Eight survivors participated. Findings were categorized into five main themes: barriers to exercise, facilitators of exercise, personal responsibility for being active, interconnectedness of exercise with a healthy lifestyle, and recommendations. Conclusions: Fatigue and frustration with postcancer physical limitations are major barriers to exercise for young adult survivors, whereas support from others, data tracking, and survivor-specific resources are facilitators. Interventions that incorporate fitness tracking technology, are individually tailored, and/or create a community with other young adult survivors may be successful in this population.