Experiencing health - Physical activity during adjuvant chemotherapy treatment for women with breast cancer

•Physical activity (PA) had a positive impact on the women's perceived health.•Experienced an reduced symptom burden, improved physical function and increased social support.•By being physically active the women were inspired to change their lifestyle in the future.•PA supported the health processes and gave them the feeling of independence and getting respite from the illness.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to explore how women with breast cancer experience physical activity (PA) during adjuvant chemotherapy treatment.MethodsThis study included sixteen women diagnosed with breast cancer who had participated in a supervised 16-week PA intervention during adjuvant chemotherapy treatment. The qualitative approach included semi-structured individual and focus group interviews. Data were analyzed inductively with content analysis.ResultThe content analysis resulted in a description of experiencing health during chemotherapy treatment covered by five categories: Solidarity with others and being good to oneself; Experiencing functional improvement and social support; Empowerment and motivation to focus on health; Barriers to adherence to PA during illness and treatment; and Enabling health and independence. A core category was identified; PA a tool for maintenance and recovery of physical, mental and social health. The women reported that PA had a positive impact on both physical function and mental wellbeing. Participating in the PA intervention also increased their feeling of social support, which was reported to be important to motivate adherence to PA when the side effects became more severe. Symptom burden, time and lack of motivation were reported as barriers to continue PA during treatment.ConclusionThe women in this study reported that PA had a positive impact on their perceived health and that it was possible to exercise despite increasing symptom burden from treatment. PA was perceived as a tool that supported health processes and gave the women a feeling of getting respite from the illness.