The Ball’s in Our Court: The Development of a Sport-based Supportive Care Program for Testicular Cancer Survivors
Year: 2020
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The need for age-appropriate supportive care for young adults with cancer is well recognized given the number of life-years affected. Yet engagement by testicular cancer survivors has been historically low in available supportive care research initiatives and usual care programs. This lack of engagement may be credited, in part, to an absence of gender-sensitized programming. In non-cancer populations, physical-activity has been leveraged as a way to increase engagement from men in health-promotion initiatives. The purpose of this mixed methods, theoretically-informed program of research was to better understand the association between physical activity and survivorship experiences of young men diagnosed and treated for testicular cancer. In study one, the associations between psychological needs, exercise (a sub-component of physical activity), and self-rated physical and mental health among testicular cancer survivors were tested using a cross-sectional design. Needs satisfaction was positively associated with self-rated physical and self-rated mental health, and exercise mediated the relationship between needs satisfaction and self-rated physical health. Study two used a concurrent mixed methods design (qualitative interviews and a cross sectional survey). The survivorship experiences of men with testicular cancer were described, and information specific to supportive care intervention preferences were provided. In study three, the perspectives of key clinical (e.g., oncologists) and sport (e.g., coaches) stakeholders on the development and implementation of a physical activity-based supportive care program were explored. Buy-in from key stakeholders was identified, along with critical program components (e.g., psychoeducational workbook topics) and recommendations for intervention delivery. Results from studies one through three informed the foundation of the intervention design, which was then piloted and evaluated in study four. Findings supported the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a group, sport-based supportive care model in this population. Collectively, this work highlights the unique survivorship profile of men with testicular cancer. Moreover, these studies identified barriers to supportive care engagement and the value of gender-sensitized care in addressing the needs of this underserved population. Findings suggest that physical activity can be used as a gender-sensitized approach to engage men in supportive care and may be useful for improving health and wellness throughout survivorship in this population.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Anika Petrella
Language: English
Topic: Cancer survivorship and care
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3136562486