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Do Breast Cancer Survivors Increase Their Physical Activity and Enhance Their Health-Related Quality of Life After Attending Community-Based Wellness Workshops?

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Abstract

Many breast cancer survivors may be at increased risk for physical and psychological complications from cancer treatments. Research has shown that regular exercise can help ameliorate some of the lingering side effects of breast cancer treatments and improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Additionally, certain stress management techniques have helped increase HRQOL in breast cancer survivors. Few educational programs exist which address both the promotion of physical activity and use of mindfulness-based strategies to improve the health of breast cancer survivors. Community-based wellness workshops were designed to promote regular exercise and use of mindfulness-based techniques. There was an increase in physical activity and improvements on several HRQOL domains 1 month following the exercise workshops; although the results were not significant, they are encouraging.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as the Petro Kuylnich Foundation and the NC Triangle Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® for their support of the Get REAL & HEEL after-care breast cancer program. We would also like to thank all of the community partners for their dedication and efforts and especially the individuals who participated in the educational sessions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, and the Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    D. Spector

  2. Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    C. Battaglini & D. Groff

  3. Get REAL & HEEL Breast Cancer Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    C. Battaglini, A. Alsobrooks, J. Owen & D. Groff

Authors
  1. D. Spector
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  2. C. Battaglini
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  3. A. Alsobrooks
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  4. J. Owen
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  5. D. Groff
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. Spector.

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Spector, D., Battaglini, C., Alsobrooks, A. et al. Do Breast Cancer Survivors Increase Their Physical Activity and Enhance Their Health-Related Quality of Life After Attending Community-Based Wellness Workshops?. J Canc Educ 27, 353–361 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-011-0306-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-011-0306-z

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