Implementation of a Prevention Program Based on Adapted Physical Activity and Recommendations for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: PREVAPAJA Study.

Purpose: In Europe, 20,000 Adolescent and Young Adults (AYAs) aged 15-25 years are diagnosed with cancer annually. Although prognosis is good, AYA cancer survivors are at greater risk of second primary cancers, cardiovascular disease, and various long-term effects. Benefits of physical activity (PA) in AYAs reported in current studies remain difficult to generalize; none has been performed in France. This single-arm intervention study tested the feasibility of combining hospital-based supervised and home-based unsupervised physical activity sessions (PAS) and providing cancer prevention recommendations for AYAs. Methods: The AYAs attended PAS concomitant to treatment and participated in one face-to-face prevention interview. PA (international physical activity questionnaire), 6-min walk distance (6MWD), sedentarity, anthropometrics, quality of life (QoL), and fatigue were assessed at baseline (T1) and end of intervention (T2). PA, satisfaction and cancer prevention behaviors were assessed 1 year after baseline (T3). Results: Fifty-nine AYAs (mean 19 years) participated in the study. Acceptability and attrition were 80% and 12%, respectively. Between T1 and T2, 6MWD and global QoL improved (p < 0.001), and fatigue decreased (p = 0.003). Total PA improved and sitting time decreased (p < 0.001) overall (T1-T3). Assessment at T3 showed interindividual differences in how participants considered risk factors (e.g., more attention to PA, UV exposures, nutrition). Conclusion: Combined supervised and unsupervised home-based PAS in AYAs undergoing cancer treatment is acceptable and feasible. The program contributes to maintaining and improving physical fitness and QoL, while reducing fatigue and other cancer and treatment symptoms. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.