Breast Cancer Survivors’ Motivations to Participate in an Integrative Program a Qualitative Study

Abstract Purpose: Participant motivations to take part in a project may evolve during the intervention thanks to lifestyle changes and positive challenges. Integrated programs for breast cancer survivors aim to support their quality of life and positive wellbeing. Personal expectations, needs, and engagement are essential to predict participant adherence to the intervention as well as their possibility to reach positive final outcomes. This study presents a preliminary understanding of the differences between motives and outcomes obtained after an integrated program of both physical and psychological programs to promote well-being in breast cancer survivors. Methods: 45 women answered some questions before and after the integrated program and results were analyzed in accordance with the procedure of the content analysis. Results: Physical and psychological well-being are the two main themes emerged by participants. Interestingly, some differences emerged between the two data collections. Themes such as aesthetic evaluation interest and the need of learning psychological strategies disappeared at the end of the intervention; otherwise, the need to make a distance from the illness experiences emerged as an obtained outcome. Conclusion: The discussion explains these differences and highlights the importance of considering breast cancer needs and motives to take part in interventions to promote quality of life.