Exercise Participation Experiences of Colorectal Cancer Survivors

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the exercise participation experiences of colorectal cancer survivors. METHODS: A phenomenological method was used in this study. Ten adult colorectal cancer survivors were recruited and data were collected through in-depth interviews. RESULTS: The factors involved in the experiences of colorectal cancer survivors' exercise participation were categorized into 3 parts: (1) mental depression and isolation due to physical change, (2) barriers of exercise, (3) exercise participation for recovery. Though participants were aware of their changed body after cancer treatment and faced difficulties participating in exercise, they want to overcome these challenges through exercise participation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show the exercise participation experiences of colorectal cancer survivors. Based on these findings, exercise maintenance can be promoted more effectively, and a higher exercise adherence of colorectal cancer survivors can be achieved.