Table 3: Sample of Responses to Exit Interview Questions

Question Response Example 1 Response Example 2 Response Example 3
Would you recommend this program to other Breast Cancer Survivors? If so, why? If not, why not? "Oh yes. I'm more motivated, uplifted. I feel better about myself." "Absolutely. The camaraderie that was developed between the survivors was awesome. The exercise was great for us and we can move forward in our lives." "Most definitely because you have people who have gone through what you've gone through or are going through it. You have your family and friends, but if they haven't gone through it, they don't really know."
Did you have any specific concerns about participating in the support group portion of the program? If so, what were they? "I guess more apprehensive. I didn't know if I was willing to share, but after I got there, (our facilitator) made it easy and really enjoyable to share." "Yes, I did. I was concerned that it was going to be very depressing, sad, a lot of crying. And I was pleasantly surprised that that was not the case. Our facilitator was able to help us work through those moments." "I had at first and then I got in there, it was just great." "Just thinking about being in a group of people and discussing your personal business. Once I got started and got to know people, it was easy.
Did you feel more comfortable about joining the program because the facility and personnel had experience with cancer patients? "Yes, that was one of the points that won me over. I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed going to a hospital or some place like that." "Yes, that was a big help. Being around people who knew what you were going through and were able to assist you in any way that they could." "That influenced me a lot because I liked the fact that there were people there understanding of my situation and knew how to deal with me emotionally."
If you attended most of the Group Exercise Sessions (i.e., missed 10 sessions total or less), what motivated you to participate regularly? "I looked forward to it. After you exercise, I always got this little energy - like a boost." "It was actually a lot of fun." "Because of the way my body felt. I was losing weight. Then I got to a point where I wasn't losing weight, but I could see my waist coming back. Before I used to just walk. I even started running! I just had to keep moving." "I knew I needed it and physically I needed to make sure I made a commitment to it for the health of my body." "I was toning up muscles and I needed to do that real bad."
If you attended most of the Support Group Sessions (i.e., missed 5 sessions or less), what motivated you to participate regularly? "The ladies in my group. My counselor - she makes you want to come. She just helps you enjoy it and makes it easy to be there and want to be there. They became family." "The support. I just wanted to be around them. It was kind of a break - a relief from my life and the cancer treatment. I just longed to be with them because they had become an integral part of my life - a part that I loved." "The friendship, sisterhood of the group members and wanting to be with them and being comfortable to share my personal journey."