The Lived Experiences of Persons With Early Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Their Significant Other(s) Following Surgery: a Rapid Ethnographic Approach

It is important to gather information on the lived lives of persons and their significant other(s) following surgery for early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The adaptations these persons make, the challenges they face and their personal experiences need to be investigated so their thoughts and habits about exercise and physical activity (PA) can be better understood. In this way, rehabilitation programs focused on exercise and PA can be better individualized. The individualization of such programs is heavily influenced by the person's experiences, including beliefs and expectations regarding exercise and PA. Observations of and informal conversations with persons with early stage NSCLC and their significant other(s) following surgery will offer insight into the challenges faced by these individuals and the opportunities for exercise and PA, how this does and could fit, within their everyday lives so this can be enhanced. It is important to align exercise and PA to everyday activities, to make it meaningful to individuals (more likely to engage) and to obtain sustained effects in the long term. The investigators expect this study to show the highly personal views and behaviour of these persons, warranting an equally personal communication approach to discuss these issues with these persons in light of developing individualized rehabilitation programs.

Inclusion criteria

• Persons who got surgery for early stage I-IIIA NSCLC, one to three months before inclusion;
• If persons received adjuvant chemotherapy/radiotherapy, the inclusion window is one to three months after the end of adjuvant chemotherapy/radiotherapy. If persons receive adjuvant immunotherapy after the end of adjuvant chemotherapy, persons can be included during the immunotherapy;
• Adults (18+ year);
• Ability to give informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Persons having progressive or recurrent lung cancer;
• Persons who had other malignancies in the last 2 years;
• Persons who do systematically perform or plan to perform structured exercise;
• Persons not living independently at home (e.g. care home, psychiatric institution);
• Psychiatric or cognitive disorders;
• Not understanding and speaking Dutch;
• Not living at home (e.g. nursing home, prison …).