Physical activity and health literacy in women diagnosed with breast cancer

Professional Doctorate - Doctor of Clinical/Health Psychology (DCP)Scope: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian women (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2014). Breast cancer is a significant cause of death and illness (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2012) and is estimated to be the leading cancer for burden of disease in Australian women (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2012). After a diagnosis of breast cancer, many women will experience physical and psychosocial concerns related to the impact of the disease and treatment. Due to the impact of cancer on the community, Cancer Australia (2014) stated an aim to decrease the impact of cancer for cancer patients and survivors by increasing the survival rate and increasing quality of life. Purpose: Physical activity after a diagnosis of breast cancer is associated with many health benefits. Health literacy has been found to be associated with participation in physical activity, but there is limited research exploring the nature of this relationship. A comprehensive review of the literature found no research that has examined this relationship in women diagnosed with breast cancer. The aim of the present research was therefore to explore the relationship between health literacy and physical activity in women diagnosed with breast cancer. In an exploratory investigation, we examined which of the nine Health Literacy Questionnaire scales predicted physical activity in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Our primary aim was to examine which of Nutbeam’s (2000) three levels of health literacy (functional, interactive, and critical health literacy) predicted physical activity in women who have completed treatment for breast cancer. We also examined the level of participation in physical activity before diagnosis, after the completion of treatment for breast cancer, and the change in physical activity between these two points