“One stroke, with twenty-two people”: exploring prostate cancer survivors' participation in dragon boating

Abstract

Purpose: This study qualitatively explores prostate cancer survivors’ experience in joining a dragon boating team and its possible impact on their wellbeing.

Design: Qualitative data analysis.

Sample: Eleven prostate cancer survivors from a dragon boat team.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.

Findings: The findings support physical benefits of dragon boating, however, the positive impact on the men’s psychosocial wellbeing was more salient. Participation in dragon boating was important for establishing a social support system and positively reframing their cancer experience.

Practice Implications: Dragon boating is a novel health promotion strategy for men with PC. Seeking to replicate the positive characteristics of dragon boating in the design of future physical activity interventions should be explored.

KEYWORDS:

• Qualitative
• prostate
• survivorship
• exercise/nutrition
• quality of life

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the ‘Butts in a Boat’ participants for sharing their experiences for this research study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.