Black and Latinx cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy expressed strong interest (84.6%) in exercise programs, with walking (69.2%) and strength training (53.8%) as the most preferred modalities.
Cross-Sectional (n=13)
What are the exercise preferences and barriers in Black and Latinx cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy?
Black and Latinx cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy show strong interest in home-based exercise programs, particularly walking and strength training, though symptom-related barriers like fatigue must be addressed.
Abstract Background: Physical inactivity and comorbid disease burden are disproportionately high among Black and Latinx cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, yet participation in exercise oncology trials remains low in these groups, despite known benefits. The Testing Home-based ExeRcise Strategies to Improve Exercise Participation and CardioVascular Health in UndersErved Minority Patients with Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy (THRIVE) trial tests the feasibility and acceptability of supervised and unsupervised home-based exercise during chemotherapy in these underrepresented groups. This analysis describes exercise preferences collected through a structured questionnaire administered prior to randomization. Methods: Participants enrolled in the THRIVE trial completed baseline questionnaires assessing exercise interest, preferred modalities, timing, perceived benefits, and anticipated barriers. Eligible patients were sedentary, self-identified as Black or Hispanic/Latinx, and diagnosed with breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient characteristics and survey responses. The Benefit Anticipation Questionnaire was scored using a 7-point Likert scale ranging from −3 (very much harmful) to +3 (very much beneficial). The Exercise Barrier Questionnaire was scored using a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (not at all) to 7 (very much). Data are reported as mean ± standard deviation. Results: Nineteen Black or Latinx participants enrolled in the study to date, and 13 participants returned the questionnaire (mean age 55 ± 12 years), including 12 female breast cancer patients and 1 male prostate cancer patient. Most participants expressed interest in participating in an exercise program (84.6%) and felt capable of doing so (76.9%). Walking (69.2%) and strength training (53.8%) were the most preferred modes. Light- or Moderate-intensity exercise (38.5%) performed 30-60 minutes per session (84.6%) three times per week (69.2%) was most common. Surprisingly, the most preferred time to start an exercise program was during cancer treatment (61.5%), followed by before cancer treatment (30.8%). Participants reported high anticipated benefits for the proposed program, with 91.7% rating the impact as “very much beneficial” for both overall quality of life (M = 2.9 ± 0.3) and physical functioning (M = 2.8 ± 0.9). The most frequently cited barriers were feeling sick/not feeling well (M = 4.3 ± 2.1) and feeling tired or fatigued (M = 4.1 ± 2.0), followed by cost (M = 3.8 ± 2.5) and traveling to the fitness center (M = 3.8 ± 2.1). Conclusion: Black and Latinx cancer patients expressed strong interest and confidence in home-based, supervised exercise programs during cancer treatment. Tailoring exercise schedules and addressing symptoms such as sickness and fatigue may enhance participation. Addressing barriers such as cost and travel may further support adherence. Citation Format: Huimin Yan, Samin Amini, James D. Cannon, Anton Pecha, Rebekah L. Wilson, Cami N. Christopher, Mary K. Norris, Christina M. Dieli-Conwright. Exercise preferences and barriers in minority cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy abstract. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 2484.
Yan et al. (Fri,) conducted a cross-sectional in Cancer (breast, colorectal, or prostate) undergoing chemotherapy (n=13). Exercise preferences questionnaire was evaluated on Exercise preferences, perceived benefits, and anticipated barriers. Black and Latinx cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy expressed strong interest (84.6%) in exercise programs, with walking (69.2%) and strength training (53.8%) as the most preferred modalities.