Breast cancer is one of the most serious diseases affecting women. Research has shown that physical activity is an important element in both the prevention of breast cancer and its recurrence after cancer treatment. Many studies show that physical activity can benefit patients’ physical and mental health and improve treatment outcomes even during intensive oncological treatment. While oncological patients were previously advised to lead a sedentary life, recent research has shown that physical activity should play a prominent role in treating and preventing cancer recurrence.
Despite this evidence, the inclusion of physical activity is still only occasionally discussed between patients and doctors following a cancer diagnosis. There are various types of barriers to physical activity (social, religious, cultural, economic, psychological), and the current pandemic is adding new difficulties to practicing physical activity, including fear of infection. Additionally, many patients suffer from kinesiophobia or fear of movement due to the expected pain or excessive fatigue. Therefore, many patients remain unaware of the importance of incorporating physical activity as part of their cancer treatment. Indeed, initiatives promoting an active lifestyle among oncological patients (like collective runs, and Nordic walk meetings) sometimes do not reach elderly patients, people living far away from oncology centers, and patients with low education levels and/or low socioeconomic status. Women are particularly affected by these barriers, therefore breast cancer patients are even less likely to engage in regular physical activity after being diagnosed.
Thus, it is essential to reflect on the problem of kinesiophobia among patients suffering from breast cancer and to discuss effective methods of managing patients' attitudes towards physical exercise, especially during the current pandemic.
In this Research Topic, we aim to welcome articles presenting research on physical activity attitudes of patients diagnosed with breast cancer and proposals for new programs and models of patient knowledge management in the field of an active lifestyle during and after the disease. We are particularly interested in papers exploring new programs to be applied worldwide, regardless of the socio-economic conditions. Moreover, we welcome studies presenting indications on the type and intensity of physical exercise at various stages of breast cancer disease among women. Finally, we are keen to collect research on new ways to increase women's physical activity after cancer in socio-cultural circles where women's leisure time (e.g., sports activity) is not recognized as a social norm.
Image credit: Shutterstock
Breast cancer is one of the most serious diseases affecting women. Research has shown that physical activity is an important element in both the prevention of breast cancer and its recurrence after cancer treatment. Many studies show that physical activity can benefit patients’ physical and mental health and improve treatment outcomes even during intensive oncological treatment. While oncological patients were previously advised to lead a sedentary life, recent research has shown that physical activity should play a prominent role in treating and preventing cancer recurrence.
Despite this evidence, the inclusion of physical activity is still only occasionally discussed between patients and doctors following a cancer diagnosis. There are various types of barriers to physical activity (social, religious, cultural, economic, psychological), and the current pandemic is adding new difficulties to practicing physical activity, including fear of infection. Additionally, many patients suffer from kinesiophobia or fear of movement due to the expected pain or excessive fatigue. Therefore, many patients remain unaware of the importance of incorporating physical activity as part of their cancer treatment. Indeed, initiatives promoting an active lifestyle among oncological patients (like collective runs, and Nordic walk meetings) sometimes do not reach elderly patients, people living far away from oncology centers, and patients with low education levels and/or low socioeconomic status. Women are particularly affected by these barriers, therefore breast cancer patients are even less likely to engage in regular physical activity after being diagnosed.
Thus, it is essential to reflect on the problem of kinesiophobia among patients suffering from breast cancer and to discuss effective methods of managing patients' attitudes towards physical exercise, especially during the current pandemic.
In this Research Topic, we aim to welcome articles presenting research on physical activity attitudes of patients diagnosed with breast cancer and proposals for new programs and models of patient knowledge management in the field of an active lifestyle during and after the disease. We are particularly interested in papers exploring new programs to be applied worldwide, regardless of the socio-economic conditions. Moreover, we welcome studies presenting indications on the type and intensity of physical exercise at various stages of breast cancer disease among women. Finally, we are keen to collect research on new ways to increase women's physical activity after cancer in socio-cultural circles where women's leisure time (e.g., sports activity) is not recognized as a social norm.
Image credit: Shutterstock
