The mediating role of health behaviors in the association between depression, anxiety and cancer incidence: an individual participant data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although behavioral mechanisms in the association among depression, anxiety, and cancer are plausible, few studies have empirically studied mediation by health behaviors. We aimed to examine the mediating role of several health behaviors in the associations among depression, anxiety, and the incidence of various cancer types (overall, breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, smoking-related, and alcohol-related cancers). METHODS: Two-stage individual participant data meta-analyses were performed based on 18 cohorts within the Psychosocial Factors and Cancer Incidence consortium that had a measure of depression or anxiety (N = 319 613, cancer incidence = 25 803). Health behaviors included smoking, physical inactivity, alcohol use, body mass index (BMI), sedentary behavior, and sleep duration and quality. In stage one, path-specific regression estimates were obtained in each cohort. In stage two, cohort-specific estimates were pooled using random-effects multivariate meta-analysis, and natural indirect effects (i.e. mediating effects) were calculated as hazard ratios (HRs). RESULTS: Smoking (HRs range 1.04-1.10) and physical inactivity (HRs range 1.01-1.02) significantly mediated the associations among depression, anxiety, and lung cancer. Smoking was also a mediator for smoking-related cancers (HRs range 1.03-1.06). There was mediation by health behaviors, especially smoking, physical inactivity, alcohol use, and a higher BMI, in the associations among depression, anxiety, and overall cancer or other types of cancer, but effects were small (HRs generally below 1.01). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking constitutes a mediating pathway linking depression and anxiety to lung cancer and smoking-related cancers. Our findings underline the importance of smoking cessation interventions for persons with depression or anxiety.

Psychosocial factors, health behaviors and risk of cancer incidence: Testing interaction and effect modification in an individual participant data meta-analysis.

Depression, anxiety and other psychosocial factors are hypothesized to be involved in cancer development. We examined whether psychosocial factors interact with or modify the effects of health behaviors, such as smoking and alcohol use, in relation to cancer incidence. Two-stage individual participant data meta-analyses were performed based on 22 cohorts of the PSYchosocial factors and CAncer (PSY-CA) study. We examined nine psychosocial factors (depression diagnosis, depression symptoms, anxiety diagnosis, anxiety symptoms, perceived social support, loss events, general distress, neuroticism, relationship status), seven health behaviors/behavior-related factors (smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, body mass index, sedentary behavior, sleep quality, sleep duration) and seven cancer outcomes (overall cancer, smoking-related, alcohol-related, breast, lung, prostate, colorectal). Effects of the psychosocial factor, health behavior and their product term on cancer incidence were estimated using Cox regression. We pooled cohort-specific estimates using multivariate random-effects meta-analyses. Additive and multiplicative interaction/effect modification was examined. This study involved 437,827 participants, 36,961 incident cancer diagnoses, and 4,749,481 person years of follow-up. Out of 744 combinations of psychosocial factors, health behaviors, and cancer outcomes, we found no evidence of interaction. Effect modification was found for some combinations, but there were no clear patterns for any particular factors or outcomes involved. In this first large study to systematically examine potential interaction and effect modification, we found no evidence for psychosocial factors to interact with or modify health behaviors in relation to cancer incidence. The behavioral risk profile for cancer incidence is similar in people with and without psychosocial stress.

Exercise Programming Modelling a Standard of Care Approach Improves Physical Health and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Individuals Living with Breast Cancer: A Pilot Study.

Controlled study designs widely report that exercise improves the health of individuals living with breast cancer. Still, many individuals living with breast cancer are not active enough to experience the benefits of exercise. The Activating Cancer Communities through an Exercise Strategy for Survivors study was developed to reach more individuals living with cancer. This report describes the effects of a 12-week individualized exercise program that models a standard-of-care approach on body composition, physical fitness, and patient-reported outcomes in individuals living with breast cancer. Individuals living with breast cancer were recruited for the study and completed an exercise program twice weekly overseen by a Clinical Exercise Physiologist. A total of 43 participants completed the exercise intervention, and 36 withdrew from the study. All participants had significantly improved aerobic fitness, waist circumference, hip circumference, lower body endurance, physical activity behaviour, health-related quality of life, emotional status, and fatigue levels after completing the program. Flexibility, balance, and sleep scores did not change. The results from the 12-week individualized exercise program largely align with the results from more controlled study designs. These results support future initiatives integrating exercise therapy into the standard of care for individuals living with breast cancer.

Depression, anxiety, and the risk of cancer: An individual participant data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety have long been hypothesized to be related to an increased cancer risk. Despite the great amount of research that has been conducted, findings are inconclusive. To provide a stronger basis for addressing the associations between depression, anxiety, and the incidence of various cancer types (overall, breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, alcohol-related, and smoking-related cancers), individual participant data (IPD) meta-analyses were performed within the Psychosocial Factors and Cancer Incidence (PSY-CA) consortium. METHODS: The PSY-CA consortium includes data from 18 cohorts with measures of depression or anxiety (up to N = 319,613; cancer incidences, 25,803; person-years of follow-up, 3,254,714). Both symptoms and a diagnosis of depression and anxiety were examined as predictors of future cancer risk. Two-stage IPD meta-analyses were run, first by using Cox regression models in each cohort (stage 1), and then by aggregating the results in random-effects meta-analyses (stage 2). RESULTS: No associations were found between depression or anxiety and overall, breast, prostate, colorectal, and alcohol-related cancers. Depression and anxiety (symptoms and diagnoses) were associated with the incidence of lung cancer and smoking-related cancers (hazard ratios [HRs], 1.06-1.60). However, these associations were substantially attenuated when additionally adjusting for known risk factors including smoking, alcohol use, and body mass index (HRs, 1.04-1.23). CONCLUSIONS: Depression and anxiety are not related to increased risk for most cancer outcomes, except for lung and smoking-related cancers. This study shows that key covariates are likely to explain the relationship between depression, anxiety, and lung and smoking-related cancers. PREREGISTRATION NUMBER: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=157677.

Use of Wearable Activity-Monitoring Technologies to Promote Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors: Challenges and Opportunities for Improved Cancer Care.

The aim of this review was to explore the acceptability, opportunities, and challenges associated with wearable activity-monitoring technology to increase physical activity (PA) behavior in cancer survivors. A search of Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and SportDiscus was conducted from 1 January 2011 through 3 October 2022. The search was limited to English language, and peer-reviewed original research. Studies were included if they reported the use of an activity monitor in adults (+18 years) with a history of cancer with the intent to motivate PA behavior. Our search identified 1832 published articles, of which 28 met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Eighteen of these studies included post-treatment cancer survivors, eight were on active cancer treatment, and two were long-term cancer survivor studies. ActiGraph accelerometers were the primary technology used to monitor PA behaviors, with Fitbit as the most commonly utilized self-monitoring wearable technology. Overall, wearable activity monitors were found to be an acceptable and useful tool in improving self-awareness, motivating behavioral change, and increasing PA levels. Self-monitoring wearable activity devices have a positive impact on short-term PA behaviors in cancer survivors, but the increase in PA gradually attenuated through the maintenance phase. Further study is needed to evaluate and increase the sustainability of the use of wearable technologies to support PA in cancer survivors.

First-Year Implementation of the EXercise for Cancer to Enhance Living Well (EXCEL) Study: Building Networks to Support Rural and Remote Community Access to Exercise Oncology Resources.

Barriers to exercise-oncology programs remain for those living with and beyond cancer in rural and remote communities, including geographic isolation and access to programs. The EXercise for Cancer to Enhance Living Well (EXCEL) study was designed to support exercise-oncology implementation in rural and remote communities across Canada. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the first-year reach, adoption, and implementation of the EXCEL study. Reach outcomes included participant characteristics, study enrolment, and referral type (self vs. healthcare-provider [HCP] referral). Adoption outcomes included the number of clinical contacts, trained qualified exercise professionals (QEPs), and QEPs delivering EXCEL exercise classes. Implementation outcomes included retention, adherence, assessment completion rates, and adverse-event reporting. A total of 290 individuals living with cancer enrolled in EXCEL in year one, with an 81.4% retention to the study intervention. Most participants self-referred to EXCEL (75.8%). EXCEL's HCP network consisted of 163 clinical contacts, and the QEP network included 45 trained QEPs, 22 of whom delivered EXCEL classes. Adherence to the exercise intervention was 78.2%, and only one adverse event (mild) was reported. Fitness assessment and patient-reported outcome completion rates were above 85% pre- and post-intervention. EXCEL has developed HCP and QEP networks supporting exercise referral and online delivery, and the intervention is meeting feasibility markers. These implementation findings will inform the continued gathering of feedback across stakeholders to ensure that best evidence informs best practices.

The Impact of Exercise on Cardiotoxicity in Pediatric and Adolescent Cancer Survivors: A Scoping Review.

Childhood and adolescent cancer survivors are disproportionately more likely to develop cardiovascular diseases from the late effects of cardiotoxic therapies (e.g., anthracycline-based chemotherapy and chest-directed radiotherapy). Currently, dexrazoxane is the only approved drug for preventing cancer treatment-related cardiac damage. While animal models highlight the beneficial effects of exercise cancer treatment-related cardiac dysfunction, few clinical studies have been conducted. Thus, the objective of this scoping review was to explore the designs and impact of exercise-based interventions for managing cancer treatment-related cardiac dysfunction in childhood and adolescent cancer survivors. Reviewers used Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology to identify relevant literature. Then, 4616 studies were screened, and three reviewers extracted relevant data from six reports. Reviewers found that exercise interventions to prevent cancer treatment-related cardiac dysfunction in childhood and adolescent cancer survivors vary regarding frequency, intensity, time, and type of exercise intervention. Further, the review suggests that exercise promotes positive effects on managing cancer treatment-related cardiac dysfunction across numerous indices of heart health. However, the few clinical studies employing exercise interventions for childhood and adolescent cancer survivors highlight the necessity for more research in this area.

The Impact of Resistance Exercise on Muscle Mass in Glioblastoma in Survivors (RESIST): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain malignancy in adults, accounting for approximately 48% of all brain tumors. Standard treatment includes radiation and temozolomide chemotherapy. Glioblastomas are highly vascular and can cause vasogenic brain edema and mass effect, which can worsen the neurologic symptoms associated with the disease. The steroid dexamethasone (DEX) is the treatment of choice to reduce vasogenic edema and intracranial pressure associated with glioblastoma. However high-dose DEX or long-term use can result in muscle myopathy in 10%-60% of glioblastoma patients, significantly reducing functional fitness and quality of life (QOL). There is a wealth of evidence to support the use of exercise as an adjuvant therapy to improve functional ability as well as help manage treatment-related symptoms. Specifically, resistance training has been shown to increase muscle mass, strength, and functional fitness in aging adults and several cancer populations. Although studies are limited, research has shown that exercise is safe and feasible in glioblastoma populations. However, it is not clear whether resistance training can be successfully used in glioblastoma to prevent or mitigate steroid-induced muscle myopathy and associated loss of function. OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study is to establish whether an individualized circuit-based program will reduce steroid-induced muscle myopathy, as indicated by maintained or improved functional fitness for patients on active treatment and receiving steroids. METHODS: This is a 2-armed, randomized controlled trial with repeated measures. We will recruit 38 adult (≥18 years) patients diagnosed with either primary or secondary glioblastoma who are scheduled to receive standard radiation and concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide chemotherapy postsurgical debulking and received any dose of DEX through the neurooncology clinic and the Nova Scotia Health Cancer Center. Patients will be randomly allocated to a standard of care waitlist control group or standard of care + circuit-based resistance training exercise group. The exercise group will receive a 12-week individualized, group and home-based exercise program. The control group will be advised to maintain an active lifestyle. The primary outcome, muscle myopathy (functional fitness), will be assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery and hand grip strength. Secondary outcome measures will include body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, QOL, fatigue, and cognitive function. All measures will be assessed pre- and postintervention. Participant accrual, exercise adherence, and safety will be assessed throughout the study. RESULTS: This study has been funded by the Canadian Cancer Society Atlantic Cancer Research Grant and the J.D. Irving Limited-Excellence in Cancer Research Fund (grant number 707182). The protocol was approved by the Nova Scotia Health and Acadia University's Research Ethics Boards. Enrollment is anticipated to begin in March 2022. CONCLUSIONS: This study will inform how individualized circuit-based resistance training may improve functional independence and overall QOL of glioblastoma patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrails.gov NCT05116137; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05116137. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/37709.

Lifestyle factors and lung cancer risk among never smokers in the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow's Health (CanPath).

BACKGROUND: Although smoking is the primary risk factor for lung cancer, 15-25% of lung cancers occur in never smokers. Emerging evidence suggests lifestyle factors are associated with lung cancer risk, but few studies among never smokers exist. METHODS: A case-control study of never smokers within the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow's Health was conducted. At recruitment, participants provided data on lifestyle, health history and sociodemographic factors. Incident lung cancers were identified through linkage with administrative health records. Cases (n = 190) were matched to controls (n = 760) on age, sex, and follow-up time. Logistic regression analyses, adjusted for matching factors and annual income, were used to identify associations between lifestyle factors and lung cancer risk. RESULTS: Consumption of < 5 servings of fruits and vegetables/day was associated with higher risk of lung cancer (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.03-2.17). Short or long sleep (≤ 6 or > 9 h/night) was also associated with increased risk of lung cancer (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.01-2.29). No associations were observed for obesity measures, alcohol consumption, or physical activity. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide evidence of a potential role between sleep, fruits and vegetable consumption, and lung cancer risk in a pan-Canadian, non-smoking population. However, the sample size is modest, and further investigation is needed.

Exercise to Reduce Anthracycline-Mediated Cardiovascular Complications in Breast Cancer Survivors.

While developments in cancer therapeutics have greatly reduced morbidity and mortality in females with breast cancer, it comes at a cost of an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. In particular, anthracyclines, like doxorubicin, which are a mainstay of current chemotherapy regimens, are associated with dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. Exercise has been widely accepted as an effective intervention in reducing cardiovascular risk in a variety of different clinical conditions. However, the benefits of exercise in anthracycline-mediated cardiotoxicity are not clearly understood. First, this review discusses the pre-clinical studies which have elucidated the cardioprotective mechanisms of aerobic and resistance exercise in improving cardiovascular function in the setting of anthracycline treatment. Next, it aims to summarize the results of aerobic and resistance exercise clinical trials conducted in females with breast cancer who received anthracycline-based chemotherapy. The review further discusses the current exercise guidelines for women undergoing chemotherapy and contraindications for exercise. Finally, the review addresses gaps in research, specifically the need for further clinical trials to establish a recommended exercise prescription within this patient population.

Psychosocial factors and cancer incidence (PSY-CA): Protocol for individual participant data meta-analyses.

OBJECTIVES: Psychosocial factors have been hypothesized to increase the risk of cancer. This study aims (1) to test whether psychosocial factors (depression, anxiety, recent loss events, subjective social support, relationship status, general distress, and neuroticism) are associated with the incidence of any cancer (any, breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, smoking-related, and alcohol-related); (2) to test the interaction between psychosocial factors and factors related to cancer risk (smoking, alcohol use, weight, physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, age, sex, education, hormone replacement therapy, and menopausal status) with regard to the incidence of cancer; and (3) to test the mediating role of health behaviors (smoking, alcohol use, weight, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep) in the relationship between psychosocial factors and the incidence of cancer. METHODS: The psychosocial factors and cancer incidence (PSY-CA) consortium was established involving experts in the field of (psycho-)oncology, methodology, and epidemiology. Using data collected in 18 cohorts (N = 617,355), a preplanned two-stage individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis is proposed. Standardized analyses will be conducted on harmonized datasets for each cohort (stage 1), and meta-analyses will be performed on the risk estimates (stage 2). CONCLUSION: PSY-CA aims to elucidate the relationship between psychosocial factors and cancer risk by addressing several shortcomings of prior meta-analyses.

The association between mental health and shift work: Findings from the Atlantic PATH study.

We evaluated the relationship between mental health and shift work in the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow's Health (PATH) cohort study. In a matched study with 12,413 participants, including 4155 shift workers and 8258 non-shift workers, we utilized general linear models and logistic regression models to assess the differences in depression, anxiety, and self-rated health. Shift workers reported higher levels of each of the mental health-related domains compared to non-shift workers. There was a significant increased risk of depression (OR = 1.13, 95% CI, 1.00-1.27) and poor self-rated health (OR = 1.13, 95% CI, 1.14-1.55) among shift workers compared to non-shift workers. Shift workers were more likely to have increased rates of depression and poor self-rated health, as well as depressive and anxiety symptom scores compared to non-shift workers. As a result, shift workers may be at increased risk of comorbidity, poor quality of life, missed work, and early retirement.

Burden of multimorbidity and polypharmacy among cancer survivors: a population-based nested case-control study.

PURPOSE: Individuals living with cancer have been shown to have a higher burden of comorbid disease and multimorbidity in comparison to their cancer-free counterparts consequently, leaving them at risk of polypharmacy (i.e., ≥ 5 medications) and its potential negative effects. The primary aim of the current study was to examine the self-reported prevalence of and association between multimorbidity and prescription medication use in a population-based sample of adult cancer survivors (CS). METHODS: This retrospective, nested case-control study drew participant data from the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow's Health cohort. CS (n = 1708) were matched to 4 non-cancer controls (n = 6832) by age and sex. Prevalence of polypharmacy by number of chronic conditions and age was estimated with 95% CI. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between multimorbidity and polypharmacy while adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. The comorbidity-polypharmacy score was also calculated as an estimate of disease burden. RESULTS: Multimorbidity was common in both CS (53%) and non-cancer controls (43%); however, a significantly higher percentage of CS reported multimorbidity (p < 0.001). Prescription medication use was also found to be significantly higher among CS (2.3 ± 2.6) compared to non-cancer controls (1.8 ± 2.3; p < 0.0001). Exploratory comorbidity-polypharmacy score analyses indicated that CS had a significantly higher overall disease burden than the age/sex-matched non-cancer controls. CONCLUSIONS: As CS appear to be at a higher risk of multimorbidity and polypharmacy and by extension, increased healthcare burden, ongoing education on the prevention of medication-related harm, and interventions to reduce the occurrence of both co-morbid disease and unnecessary medications are warranted.

Associations between Neighborhood Walkability, Physical Activity, and Chronic Disease in Nova Scotian Adults: An Atlantic PATH Cohort Study.

Background: While neighborhood walkability has been shown to positively influence health behaviors, less is known about its impact on chronic disease. Our aim was to examine the association between walkability and self-reported physical activity in relation to chronic health conditions in an Atlantic Canadian population. Methods: Using data from the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow's Health, a prospective cohort study, we employed both a cross-sectional and a prospective analytical approach to investigate associations of walkability and physical activity with five prevalent chronic diseases and multimorbidity. Results: The cross-sectional data show that participants with the lowest neighborhood walkability were more likely to have reported a pre-existing history of cancer and depression and least likely to report chronic respiratory conditions. Participants with low physical activity were more likely to have a pre-existing history of diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and multimorbidity. Follow-up analyses showed no significant associations between walkability and chronic disease incidence. Low levels of physical activity were significantly associated with diabetes, cancer and multimorbidity. Conclusions: Our data provides evidence for the health protective benefits of higher levels of physical activity, and a reduction in prevalence of some chronic diseases in more walkable communities.

Rural-Urban Disparities in Total Physical Activity, Body Composition, and Related Health Indicators: An Atlantic PATH Study.

PURPOSE: To describe and compare the sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics of urban and rural residents in Atlantic Canada. METHODS: Cross-sectional analyses of baseline data from the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow's Health cohort were conducted. Specifically, 17,054 adults (35-69 years) who provided sociodemographic characteristics, measures of obesity, and a record of chronic disease and health behaviors were included in the analyses. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression models were used to calculate the multivariable-adjusted beta coefficients (ß), odds ratios (OR), and related 95% confidence intervals (CI). FINDINGS: After adjusting for age, sex, and province, when compared to urban participants, rural residents were significantly more likely to: be classified as very active (OR: 1.19, CI: 1.11-1.27), be obese (OR: 1.13, 1.05-1.21), to present with abdominal obesity (OR: 1.08, CI: 1.01-1.15), and have a higher body fat percentage (ß: 0.40, CI: 0.12-0.68) and fat mass index (ß: 0.32, CI: 0.19-0.46). Rural residents were significantly less likely to be regular or habitual drinkers (OR: 0.83, CI: 0.78-0.89). Significant differences remained after further adjustment for confounding sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health characteristics. No significant differences in smoking behavior, fruit and vegetable intake, multimorbidity, or waist circumference were found. CONCLUSIONS: As expected, obesity prevalence was higher in rural Atlantic Canadians. In contrast to much of the existing literature, we found that rural participants were more likely to report higher levels of total physical activity and lower alcohol consumption. Findings suggest that novel obesity prevention strategies may be needed for rural populations.

Physical Activity and Cancer Care in the Atlantic Canadian Provinces: an Examination of Provider Beliefs, Practices, Resources, Barriers, and Enablers.

Despite the well-established benefits of physical activity for cancer survivors, the vast majority of survivors are not sufficiently active to reap these benefits. While cancer-specific physical activity guidelines exist, it remains unclear whether there are sufficient resources to support these recommendations. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the available cancer-specific physical activity programs for cancer survivors in Atlantic Canada and explore barriers and enablers to program implementation. Interviews were conducted with a purposefully selected sample of oncology healthcare professionals, administrators, and cancer-specific physical activity program leaders to examine the attitudes and practices of key stakeholders with respect to physical activity and cancer-specific programming. Thirty participants, including 7 oncologists, 7 nurses, 6 allied healthcare professionals, 5 administrators, and 5 program leaders, completed an interview. Three over-arching themes emerged, including (1) knowledge, attitudes and need for physical activity; (2) implementation barriers; and (3) implementation enablers. The results of this study suggest that cancer survivors in Atlantic Canada may require additional resources and support with respect to physical activity throughout their cancer care journey.

After Childhood Cancer: a Qualitative Study of Family Physician, Parent/Guardian, and Survivor Information Needs and Perspectives on Long-Term Follow-up and Survivorship Care Plans.

Despite support for the provision of a survivorship care plan (SCP) to every cancer survivor, there is a lack of understanding of the needs and preferences of key stakeholders. We examined perspectives of a novel personalized SCP for childhood cancer survivors (CCS), their family, and family physicians (FP). We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with a purposefully selected sample of CCS, parents/guardians, and FPs. Data included responses to stakeholder cancer care information needs, concerns with or gaps in communication, the perceived role of the FP in the long-term management of CCS care, utility of the SCP, preferred format, and suggestions for improvement. A deductive content analysis was conducted. Twenty-four participants including 8 CCS, 10 parents/guardians, and 6 FPs completed an interview. Four main and several sub-categories emerged. Core categories were coded as (1) informative reference, (2) coordination of follow-up, (3) barriers to follow-up care, and (4) suggestions for improvement and future implementation. The majority of participants preferred an electronic- or web-based format. Overall, the SCP was seen as an informative and concise resource. The SCP was thought to be a valuable tool to foster communication and empower CCSs to become more fully engaged in their own cancer-related health care. FPs viewed the SCP as a useful resource to facilitate and guide the long-term management of the CCS. In addition to the treatment summary, a comprehensive follow-up timeline, personalized lifestyle information, and details on how to access additional psychosocial support were highlighted as important components.

Aerobic exercise and cardiopulmonary fitness in childhood cancer survivors treated with a cardiotoxic agent: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The main purpose of this review was to synthesize evidence from existing childhood cancer survivor studies that report the effect of aerobic exercise on cardiopulmonary fitness (a marker of cardiovascular health), in survivors that were currently receiving or had been treated with a cardiotoxic agent. METHODS: Studies were identified for this review by searching both electronic databases of peer-reviewed articles, as well as various sources of gray literature. Risk of bias was qualitatively assessed in these studies using the domains outlined in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Data was analyzed quantitatively using random-effects meta-analyses and subgroup analyses in RevMan Software. RESULTS: Meta-analysis of pooled evidence from the nine included studies suggests that aerobic exercise has a statistically and clinically significant positive effect on cardiopulmonary fitness (effect estimate = 6.92%, p value = 0.02). Findings from subgroup analyses of clinical characteristics and exercise parameters were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this review, although not directly demonstrating a cardioprotective effect, are a preliminary step towards establishing the putative cardioprotective effect of aerobic exercise against the direct cardiotoxic impact of cancer treatments. The significant positive effect estimate in favor of aerobic exercise is a small but important advancement towards the standardization of aerobic exercise in childhood cancer survivors. Further studies are necessary.

Yoga for Young Adults With Noncurative Cancer: A Brief Report.

BACKGROUND: The practice of yoga has been shown to improve disease- and treatment-related side effects in the noncurative cancer patient. OBJECTIVE: This user experience study aimed to examine the feasibility and usefulness of a DVD-based yoga program for young adult cancer patients with a noncurative diagnosis. METHODS: Participants were asked to partake in a 7-week DVD-based yoga program and complete measures of program use and usefulness. RESULTS: Nine patients expressed study interest and 5 consented to participate. Four completed the full study protocol. Participants reported being satisfied with the program and described that it provided an opportunity for self-care. Improvements in functional, physical, and spiritual well-being and overall quality of life were found. Barriers included competing time demands and feeling unwell. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: The program was viewed as an accessible and useful activity option; however, a desire for greater social support from relatable others was highlighted.