Breast cancer is the most incident cancer in the world and Brazil, with 74,000 new cases estimated in Brazilian women for the three years 2023-2025. The high survival rates make it necessary to rehabilitate comorbidities arising from the treatment to promote quality of life. Physical activity can be an important ally; however, evidence shows that ∼70% do not reach the recommended levels, despite the possibility of reducing relapses and adverse effects of treatment and of improving physical and mental health.

The aim of the study was to identify the levels of physical activity of women survivors of breast cancer, barriers, and facilitators for physical activity.

In this cross-sectional analytical observational study, 31 women answered an online questionnaire. ‘Survivors’ were considered those who completed treatments (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or surgery) 6 months ago or more. Sociodemographic and oncological characteristics and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were questioned. The main barriers and facilitators to the practice of physical activity were also questioned.

The mean age of the women was 49.2 ± 8.4 years (30 – 69 years) and the time since diagnosis was 4.9 ± 3.6 years (1 – 17 years). BMI was 24.9 ± 4.8 (adequate) (17 – 36.7); 75% of the sample resided in urban areas, 66% had completed graduate studies, 22% had completed higher education, 72% were employed, and 22% were retired. Oncological staging at diagnosis w, classified as zero, 12.5% I, 18.8% II, 31.3% III, 9.4% IV,.4% IV, and 6.3% were unable to report. Surgical treatment was used in 97% of cases, 59% underwent radiotherapy, 56% chemotherapy, and 56% hormone therapy. 84.4% of women reported receiving information about physical activity considered relevant after According to the IPAQ-SF (short version), the prevalence of physical activity levels version) was 44% high, 37% rate and 19% low, and 3617.2 ± 3859.6 MET-min/week total. The main barriers to physical activity reported were issues related to employment (28%), the duration and frequency of physical activity (22%), the feeling of fatigue (22%), and lack of motivation to practice (16%); in addition, 13 women reported not perceiving difficulties. The most prevalent facilitators were health promotion (62%) and well-being (53%), the existence of motivation to practice (37.5%), the presence of medical guidance (28%), and the ease of access to practice sites (22%).

The levels of physical activity found were higher than previously reported in the literature, which may be related to the characteristics of the urbanized sample with a high level of education. Although the majority received professional instruction, it is perceived that the barriers were related to daily demands and that the facilitators were the promotion of health and well-being.

Research with a larger number of women in different contexts is recommended to promote the levels of physical activity suggested in the literature.