Culos-Reed, S. NicoleKrenz, Kaitlin2014-06-262014-11-172014-06-262014http://hdl.handle.net/11023/1590Patients with esophageal and gastric cancer typically present with an advanced tumour formation and severe symptoms such as progressive dysphagia, nausea, and weight loss (J. Lagergren & Lagergren, 2010; Zali, Rezaei-tavirani, & Azodi, 2011). Surgical treatment is the preference for both diagnoses, however often results in functional digestive complications (Bhargava & Chasen, 2010). Given the myriad of symptoms pre and post treatment, it is clear that health related quality of life (HRQL) is affected for these patients. PA has consistently and repeatedly improved HRQL in cancer patients (Ferrer, Huedo-Medina, Johnson, Ryan, & Pescatello, 2011). Only a few studies have identified potential PA effects in gastric and/or esophageal cancers, with inconsistent results (Bhargava & Chasen, 2010; Feeney, Reynolds, & Hussey, 2011; Lee et al., 2010; Na, Kim, Kim, Ha, & Yoon, 2000; Tatematsu, Park, Tanaka, Sakai, & Tsuboyama, 2013; Tatematsu, Ezoe, et al., 2013; Zalina, Lee, & Kandiah, 2012). To further explore the relationship between PA and HRQL in gastric and esophageal cancers, a cross-sectional one-time survey was completed in a GI outpatient clinic in Calgary, AB. Pearson correlations revealed a positive moderate association between total PA minutes and HRQL (r=.40, p=.03). Future research should consider interventions (education or programming) that promote PA participation in this unique population.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Oncologygastric cancerPhysical ActivityQuality of Lifeesophageal cancermaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/28013