Enhancing behavioral change among lung cancer survivors participating in a lifestyle risk reduction intervention

Lung cancer survivors have more symptom distress and lower function compared with other cancer survivors, yet few interventions are available to improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study explores lung cancer survivors perspectives on making behavioural changes in the context of a lifestyle risk reduction intervention. There were 22 survivors who participated in interviews after completing the Healthy Directions (HD) intervention. Five main themes were identified: (1) the diagnosis was a motivator for behavior change, (2) participants had to deal with disease consequences, (3) the coach provided guidance, (4) strategies for change were initiated, and (5) social support sustained behavioral changes. Several participants found the recommended goals for physical activity were difficult and were discouraged if unable to attain the goal. Lung cancer survivors described the benefits of coaching to enhance their engagement in behavioral change and findings underscore the need for individualized prescriptions of physical activity, especially for sedentary survivors. Read the full text