Breast cancer survivors’ perspectives on a clinical decision tool to support individualized exercise prescriptions and discussions

TL;DR

This study explores how breast cancer survivors view a tool to help healthcare providers prescribe personalized exercise plans.

Contribution

The study introduces a prototype clinical decision tool for individualized exercise prescriptions and evaluates survivors' perspectives.

Findings

Most survivors found the tool useful for education and encouraging exercise.

Younger survivors were less confident in discussing exercise with providers compared to older survivors.

Improving daily tasks, quality of life, and energy were top benefits highlighted by survivors.

Abstract

To examine breast cancer survivors’ perspectives on the prototype (paper-draft) of a clinical decision tool to support individualized exercise prescriptions and discussions within clinical settings.

A sample of ≥90 female breast cancer survivors aged ≥35 years across the U.S. were recruited to complete an online survey that collected data on survivors’ characteristics and perspectives of a prototype of the tool. Survey items were adapted from validated pre-existing instruments and refined via cognitive interviews.

Ninety-eight of the 142 individuals screened were deemed eligible and completed the survey. Most breast cancer survivors agreed that a tool would be useful (84.7%) and increase confidence to discuss exercise with a healthcare provider (74.5%). Among tool uses, the highest agreement was found for education (84.1%) and encouragement to exercise (79.3%). Improving the ability to do everyday tasks (74.0%), quality-of-life (72.6%), and energy (71.4%) were rated as the top exercise benefits to include in a tool. Agreement on tool usefulness, uses, and inputs varied by survivors’ demographic, clinical, and contextual characteristics. For example, agreement that a tool would increase their confidence to discuss exercise was lower among younger survivors (<50 years, 67.7%) than older survivors (≥50 years, 78.5%).

An evidence-based clinical decision tool offering individualized exercise information could support exercise prescriptions and discussions within clinical settings. However, a one-size-fits-all tool may not address existing disparities in exercise participation. Further research among underserved women is needed.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00520-026-10358-x.