Lifestyle Behaviors and Needs After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: A Qualitative Assessment

Abstract

Purpose There is a need to gain a deeper understanding of facilitators and barriers involving lifestyle behaviors among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Design: Research team explored influences (e.g., social, cultural, environmental) for healthy lifestyle behaviors (nutrition, physical activity (PA), and self-care). Method One researcher conducted semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis. Demographic data were collected via survey, and descriptive statistics were generated.  Setting Patients were recruited, and interviews conducted via Zoom or phone. Participants Twenty-eight newly diagnosed, treatment naïve breast cancer patients were interviewed, a majority were non-Hispanic White women (n=23; 82%) with invasive (n=14; 50%) breast cancer. Results Themes related to nutrition, PA, and self-care emerged, including influences (e.g., environmental, cultural, social), barriers, facilitators, and lived experiences. Most patients stressed the importance of maintaining healthy eating habits (n=23), and some were interested in understanding the relationship between nutrition and cancer (n=7). Sixteen reported sustaining their PA levels, while others (n=11) explained barriers, such as time, distance, and pain. All patients reported utilizing self-care strategies, and most reported increased engagement in self-care since being diagnosed (n=14). Conclusion This study sheds light on factors influencing and hindering the adoption of healthy eating, PA, and self-care strategies among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. The findings reflect the importance of healthy lifestyle behaviors as critical areas for upstream intervention.