Abstract
Motivation for older adults with cancer (OAC) to engage in physical activity (PA) during and after cancer treatment may be limited by many factors. OAC may be affected by persistent symptoms limiting PA capability such as fatigue, pain and dyspnea, or lack safe home or neighborhood spaces to engage in activity. Fear of falling (FOF) is a major concern among OAC and may decrease PA and life-space mobility. To understand how OAC perceptions of cancer treatment, FOF and their local built environment (BE) influence PA behaviors, we partnered with ResearchMatch.org to recruit a sample of 19 people with a history of cancer aged 65+ who were diverse in self-identified race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation. We developed an interview guide using Michie’s COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behavior) and conducted semi-structured interviews ranging from 24 to 60 minutes. Thematic Content Analysis was conducted by two investigators in NVivo v14. Critical themes included 1) regaining past PA levels vs. adjusting to new limitations; 2) high FOF levels alter PA choices, regardless of fall history; 3) avoiding socialization and PA in public due to post-surgical changes in appearance; 4) home and local neighborhood layout impact opportunity to access safe spaces for PA and 5) desire to receive customized PA and health promotion education near end of treatment instead of while overwhelmed near diagnosis. Factors influencing motivation for PA in OAC are complex; clinicians should assess FOF and local BE to better customize PA recommendations that address these concerns and limitations.
Sigma Membership
Alpha Zeta
Type
Report
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Falls, Falling, Fear of Falling, Cancer Patients, Race, BIPOC, Race Factors
Recommended Citation
Fessele, Kristen, "Race, Fear of Falls, Built Environment and Physical Activity in Older Adults with Cancer" (2025). General Submissions: Community and Population-based Materials. 76.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/gen_sub_cpm/76
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
None: Submitted for Open Dissemination
Acquisition
Self-submission
Date of Issue
2025-12-15
Funder(s)
The DAISY Foundation; Ann L. Hendrich Charitable Fund
Full Text of Presentation
wf_yes
Description
The supplemental file is a poster presentation based on the same topic. The poster has additional authors/presenters not listed in this grant report record.