Interactive Cancer Communication System (ICCS) Directed Physical Activity Enhancement for Colon Cancer Survivors

ICCS Directed Physical Activity Enhancement for Colon Cancer Survivors

This study will develop and test the benefits of a new ICCS (Interactive Cancer Communication System), a mobile Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (Survivorship CHESS) in colon cancer survivors. Survivorship CHESS will provide information, tools, and a support system based on our previous work with FRESH START and CHESS, two highly successful interventions that have promoted lifestyle change among cancer patients and survivors. Survivorship CHESS will be designed to help subjects develop 1) competence in information gathering, decision-making, and behaviors they are trying to change, 2) social support systems to help deal with the cancer experience, and 3) autonomy that comes with regaining a sense of control over their lives; this in turn, will help them adopt or maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors and improve their quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of stage I-III loco-regional colon cancer within the previous 12 months with no evidence of recurrence or new cancers. Participants may be recruited at any time after the initial diagnosis (up to 12 months). Baseline data collection will occur no earlier than 6 weeks after completion of adjuvant treatment
• At least 21 years of age
• Able to speak and read English (educational attainment of at lease 6th grade)
• Engaged in physical activities less than 8 metabolic equivalent tasks (METs) per week
• Not Homeless

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pre-existing medical condition(s) that preclude adherence to an unsupervised exercise program which includes subjects with severe orthopedic conditions or scheduled for a hip or knee replacement within six months; paralysis; end-stage renal disease; dementia; as well as subjects who have unstable angina or who have experienced a heart attack; congestive heart failure or pulmonary conditions that require oxygen or hospitalization within six months; or uncorrected vision or hearing problems or other ergonomic conditions that would preclude the use of the smart phone.