Introduction: Given the possible decades of post-treatment survivorship for adolescents and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors, it is important that health services promote behaviours that enhance physical/mental well-being and quality of life (QoL). AYA are less physically active than non-diagnosed siblings or peers and their unmet need for exercise information is greater than reported for older cancer survivors. This study explored the exercise programming preferences and information needs of AYA patients through two components; 1) a self-administered questionnaire and 2) focus group. This paper reports on the qualitative, focus group component of the study which aimed to explore in detail the impact a cancer diagnosis had on participant’s exercise and physcial activity levels.

Methods: From the 74 responders to the self-administered questionnaire, 12 expressed an interest to participate in a focus group. 8 male and 4 female cancer survivors (>1 year post-treatment completion) aged 18-25 years at the time of diagnosis participated in a semi-structured focus group.  Interview questions targeted; i) experience of exercising with cancer and ii) exercise information provision. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed and a thematic analysis was conducted using a framework approach.

Results: The following main themes emerged through qualitative analysis; 1) barriers to exercise include, treatment related side effects (i.e. fatigue), family and lack of information provision, 2) AYA attitudes regarding enablers to exercise include medical team, hospital supports and previous exercise history, 3) access to services (pre and post treatment), 4) preferred content, timing and delivery of exercise interventions, 5) impact on QoL.

Conclusion: Findings illustrate the significant impact a diagnosis of cancer has on AYA ability to undertake regular exercise and that a lack of exercise impacts on mood, sense of worth and QoL. Moreover, interventions promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyle behaviours would be well accepted within this population and may be essential to improve long term health and QoL into post-treatment survivorship.