Barriers and supportive factors in engaging cancer patients in physical activity programmes - a literature review

Regardless of cancer type or stage of treatment, physical activity (PA) has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and death. It is associated with a range of positive effects on patients' physical and psychological well-being, particularly in the areas of aerobic fitness, fatigue, mental health and perceived overall quality of life. However, in current oncology practice, the combination of its indication with treatment is still relatively rare. At the same time, cancer patients' participation in regular physical activity is usually very low. However, as PA is an effective method to support cancer treatment and plays an important role in prevention, it is necessary to find effective strategies to involve patients more widely in physical activities. To this end, physical activity programmes organised directly by facilities providing comprehensive cancer care appear to be very suitable.

This literature review maps the main barriers and facilitators to cancer patients' participation in physical activity programmes. In particular, economic factors related to health policy, reflected in the availability of this type of supportive care for patients, the level of health literacy, the organization of PA programs, health care providers - both physicians and health care workers, social support and intrapsychic influences on the part of patients play a major role. Since the implementation of physical activity programmes into the existing cancer care system is a rather challenging process, the paper also deals with the possibilities of using the Health Belief Model. In the given context, this model allows the prediction and identification of barriers and supportive factors to patients' involvement in PA programs in order to maximize their effectiveness and adapt them to the needs of patients and, at the same time, to the capabilities of a specific medical facility.