775 - Attitudes Toward Physical Activity Among Colorectal Cancer Survivors with Low and High Physical Activity: A Mixed Methods Approach

Objectives: To examine factors influencing the physical activity patterns of Egyptian colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors as a first step toward designing a physical activity promotion intervention using Intervention Mapping.

Design: CRC patients at various treatment stages were recruited from a tertiary university hospital. Physical activity levels were recorded using accelerometer and self-report as part of a larger observational study. Overall, physical activity was low and a subset underwent qualitative interviews to assess physical activity knowledge and attitudes to inform future interventions. Qualitative data was analyzed comparing those above and below the median (540 METS/week).

Results: Eleven participants agreed to be interviewed: 5 males and 6 females, median age = 50, 5 lived in the city and 6 in rural villages, most belonged to the low-income category, and only 4 were employed. In terms of cancer stage, 6 participants were diagnosed at an early stage (I-II), while 5 participants were diagnosed at a later stage (III-IV).
When comparing the most active versus least active categories, both groups expressed their inability to establish a clear connection between physical inactivity and the risk of cancer.
In the most physically active category, work was the primary factor driving activity. In the least active category, chemotherapy side effects were the main obstacle to activity. Both groups agreed on barriers to physical activity, including cognitive factors such as depression and lack of motivation, physiological factors like the burden of cancer and treatment side effects, and structural factors like neighborhood-related issues.

Conclusions: Identifying individual and community level factors, including the importance of education and support as well as targeting the specific needs caused by cancer treatment constitutes the first step of a multilevel intervention that addresses cognitive, practical, and social barriers to physical activity in colorectal cancer survivors.