A Brief Messaging Lifestyle Modification Program for Patients With Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancer globally and locally. Patients with lung cancer are in a uniquely difficult situation in their disease, comorbidities, and treatment that may lead to worsened symptoms and many negative health consequences, including fatigue, irritability, and impaired daytime functioning.

Physical activity (PA) is defined as 'any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscle that results in energy expenditure'. Several health benefits of increased PA have been reported for people with cancer. PA plays a critical role across the cancer trajectory, from prevention through to post-diagnosis and has been proposed as an alternative for improving physical and psychosocial health outcomes, reducing cancer recurrence, and cancer-specific and all-cause mortality. However, most of the findings were predominantly in breast and colorectal cancers. The PA dosage required to attain health benefits across these cancer groups is not uniform, nor is it clear whether the results can be applied to other groups of people with cancer.

The current study includes a cross-sectional questionnaire survey and an in-depth interview. It aims to understand the current physical activity practice and preference of patients with lung cancer, which could help to develop a lifestyle modification program based on our patients' needs and preferences.