A cross-sectional study exploring the perception of exercise oncology in the Italian population

IntroductionWe aim to examine the population’s perception of physical exercise in patients with cancer.Materials and methodsAn anonymous survey was conducted to reach a sample of Italian adults. The questionnaire investigated sociodemographic factors, physical exercise levels, and perceptions about...

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Main Authors: Anita Borsati, Diana Giannarelli, Giampaolo Pase, Christian Ciurnelli, Linda Toniolo, Ilaria Trestini, Daniela Tregnago, Lorenzo Belluomini, Marco Sposito, Jessica Insolda, Michele Milella, Federico Schena, Sara Pilotto, Alice Avancini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2024.1430083/full
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author Anita Borsati
Diana Giannarelli
Giampaolo Pase
Christian Ciurnelli
Linda Toniolo
Ilaria Trestini
Daniela Tregnago
Lorenzo Belluomini
Marco Sposito
Jessica Insolda
Michele Milella
Federico Schena
Sara Pilotto
Alice Avancini
author_facet Anita Borsati
Diana Giannarelli
Giampaolo Pase
Christian Ciurnelli
Linda Toniolo
Ilaria Trestini
Daniela Tregnago
Lorenzo Belluomini
Marco Sposito
Jessica Insolda
Michele Milella
Federico Schena
Sara Pilotto
Alice Avancini
author_sort Anita Borsati
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionWe aim to examine the population’s perception of physical exercise in patients with cancer.Materials and methodsAn anonymous survey was conducted to reach a sample of Italian adults. The questionnaire investigated sociodemographic factors, physical exercise levels, and perceptions about the importance, benefits, and safety of exercise, the support from oncologists and family/friends, as well as the capability and ease of patients of exercise.ResultsOverall, 838 persons participated in this survey. The majority of respondents agree that exercise is important (60.5%) and beneficial (61.5%) for patients with cancer during anticancer treatments, whereas 40.2% believed in its safety. Forty-two percent and 51.9% of participants expressed a positive opinion regarding the advice of oncologists and the encouragement of family/friends to exercise, respectively. Only 27.2% of respondents feel that patients are capable of exercising, and 9.0% agree that it is easy for them.ConclusionAlthough the population has a favorable perception of the importance and benefits of physical exercise, they do not still believe that patients are capable of performing it. Increasing awareness of the feasibility of a physical exercise intervention in the context of cancer is crucial to supporting patients.
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spelling doaj-art-0850c37eb55e4d29a1ba5b79501d1eb32025-01-13T05:10:45ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-01-011410.3389/fonc.2024.14300831430083A cross-sectional study exploring the perception of exercise oncology in the Italian populationAnita Borsati0Diana Giannarelli1Giampaolo Pase2Christian Ciurnelli3Linda Toniolo4Ilaria Trestini5Daniela Tregnago6Lorenzo Belluomini7Marco Sposito8Jessica Insolda9Michele Milella10Federico Schena11Sara Pilotto12Alice Avancini13Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, ItalyFondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS)-Epidemiology and Biostatistic, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, ItalyDietetic Service, Medical Direction, University Hospital of Verona (AOUI), Verona, ItalySection of Innovation Biomedicine - Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, Verona, ItalySection of Innovation Biomedicine - Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, Verona, ItalySection of Innovation Biomedicine - Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, Verona, ItalySection of Innovation Biomedicine - Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, Verona, ItalySection of Innovation Biomedicine - Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, Verona, ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, ItalySection of Innovation Biomedicine - Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, Verona, ItalySection of Innovation Biomedicine - Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, Verona, ItalyIntroductionWe aim to examine the population’s perception of physical exercise in patients with cancer.Materials and methodsAn anonymous survey was conducted to reach a sample of Italian adults. The questionnaire investigated sociodemographic factors, physical exercise levels, and perceptions about the importance, benefits, and safety of exercise, the support from oncologists and family/friends, as well as the capability and ease of patients of exercise.ResultsOverall, 838 persons participated in this survey. The majority of respondents agree that exercise is important (60.5%) and beneficial (61.5%) for patients with cancer during anticancer treatments, whereas 40.2% believed in its safety. Forty-two percent and 51.9% of participants expressed a positive opinion regarding the advice of oncologists and the encouragement of family/friends to exercise, respectively. Only 27.2% of respondents feel that patients are capable of exercising, and 9.0% agree that it is easy for them.ConclusionAlthough the population has a favorable perception of the importance and benefits of physical exercise, they do not still believe that patients are capable of performing it. Increasing awareness of the feasibility of a physical exercise intervention in the context of cancer is crucial to supporting patients.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2024.1430083/fullphysical exercisecancerpopulation perceptionstigmapatients with cancer
spellingShingle Anita Borsati
Diana Giannarelli
Giampaolo Pase
Christian Ciurnelli
Linda Toniolo
Ilaria Trestini
Daniela Tregnago
Lorenzo Belluomini
Marco Sposito
Jessica Insolda
Michele Milella
Federico Schena
Sara Pilotto
Alice Avancini
A cross-sectional study exploring the perception of exercise oncology in the Italian population
Frontiers in Oncology
physical exercise
cancer
population perception
stigma
patients with cancer
title A cross-sectional study exploring the perception of exercise oncology in the Italian population
title_full A cross-sectional study exploring the perception of exercise oncology in the Italian population
title_fullStr A cross-sectional study exploring the perception of exercise oncology in the Italian population
title_full_unstemmed A cross-sectional study exploring the perception of exercise oncology in the Italian population
title_short A cross-sectional study exploring the perception of exercise oncology in the Italian population
title_sort cross sectional study exploring the perception of exercise oncology in the italian population
topic physical exercise
cancer
population perception
stigma
patients with cancer
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2024.1430083/full
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