Critical Review of the Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict and Explain Exercise Behavior in Women with Breast Cancer

Survival rates for breast cancer are improving. However, survivors are living with side effects secondary to breast cancer and its treatments for many years after their treatments have ended. Regular exercise has been proven to mitigate these common side effects; however, a small percentage of cancer survivors are found to be physically active. Theory-based interventions are underused in breast cancer research but are necessary to close this knowledge-to-practice gap. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) is one behavioral change theory that has proven successful in predicting and explaining exercise behavior in general populations; however, it has not been adequately explored in the realm of breast cancer rehabilitation. The purpose of this critical review is to describe the current use of the TPB to explain and predict exercise behavior in women with breast cancer. First, the TPB will be explored and critiqued and the barriers to exercise for this population will be discussed and related to TPB concepts. Finally, recommendations for future work using this theory in breast cancer rehabilitation will be proposed.