Objectives: To understand breast cancer survivors' and providers' attitudes and beliefs regarding exercise counseling and structured exercise programs within cancer care.
Sample & setting: 61 female breast cancer survivors and 11 breast cancer providers from a university cancer center in the Pacific Northwest.
Methods & variables: Survivors completed anonymous self-report surveys, and providers participated in semistructured interviews. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and interview transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
Results: Breast cancer survivors and providers believed that including exercise counseling within cancer care was important. More than half of the survivors reported that they would attend structured exercise classes; a majority of providers thought cancer centers should offer exercise programs.
Implications for nursing: Nurses could facilitate exercise counseling within cancer care and advocate for clinic-based exercise programs.
Keywords: breast cancer; clinic-based exercise programs; exercise; exercise counseling.