Poster Presentation 2025 National Cancer Survivorship Conference

“I know it will make me feel better”: A qualitative study on physical activity in people with melanoma receiving immunotherapy   (#144)

Sarah C. Marvin 1 , Haryana Dhillon 2 , Kate Edwards 1 3 , Georgina V. Long 1 3 4 5 6 , Alexander M. Menzies 1 4 5 6 , Jia (Jenny) Liu 7 8 , Jasmine Yee 1 2
  1. Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
  2. Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
  3. Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
  4. Melanoma Institute Australia, Wollstonecraft, NSW, Australia
  5. Mater Hospital, North Sydney, NSW, Australia
  6. Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
  7. The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
  8. St Vincent's Clinical School, University of NSW, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia

Aims: Physical activity has numerous well-established benefits for people receiving cancer treatments. However, among those with melanoma receiving immunotherapy, physical activity behaviours and perceptions are not well understood. We aimed to explore experiences of physical activity while receiving immunotherapy in this population.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative substudy recruiting participants in a 12-month observational study investigating physical activity levels and patient-reported outcomes during immunotherapy. Adults (ECOG 0-2) receiving immunotherapy as adjuvant therapy or treatment of metastatic melanoma participated in a semi-structured interview following four cycles of immunotherapy. The interviews explored their physical activity behaviours and perceptions of physical activity while receiving immunotherapy. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically.

Results: Thirteen participants participated (median age 64-years, 62% male, 46% metastatic). Analysis identified four key themes: 1) patterns of physical activity; 2) physical activity adaptations; 3) physical activity support; and, 4) impact of physical activity. Participants described diverse patterns of physical activity, with some engaging in structured exercise and others remaining active through incidental physical activity. Adjustments to physical activity routines were common to accommodate immunotherapy side effects such as fatigue, often involving reduced activity duration and increased rest periods. Family members and friends played a crucial role in encouraging physical activity, motivating participants to stay active. Some participants were aware of the potential for exercise to enhance treatment outcomes, physical activity was used to manage side effects such as fatigue and mental health concerns. Participants felt access to an exercise professional would help them safely and effectively maintain or adopt new exercise routines.

Conclusions: Our study highlights the varied approaches to physical activity among people receiving immunotherapy for melanoma. Despite demonstrating adaptability in maintaining physical activity, participants would benefit from increased access to exercise professionals and structured programs to enhance exercise engagement and optimise health outcomes.