Cancer survivors set health goals in highly individual ways, with most focusing on exercise and diet, but each person’s approach varies significantly. A Gram Research analysis of 480 goals from 20 cancer survivors found that 26.9% of goals targeted physical activity and 24.2% targeted diet, yet survivors showed wide differences in how frequently they set goals and how many different areas they addressed. This suggests personalized goal-setting support may work better than one-size-fits-all health recommendations for cancer survivors.
A new study looked at how cancer survivors set personal health goals during a 12-week therapy program. Researchers analyzed 480 goals from 20 cancer survivors and found that people focus most on exercise and diet, but everyone’s approach is different. Some survivors set many goals across different areas, while others prefer to focus on just a few things. According to Gram Research analysis, understanding these differences could help doctors and therapists give better support to each person. The findings suggest that one-size-fits-all health advice may not work as well as personalized goal-setting plans for cancer survivors.
Key Statistics
A 2026 qualitative analysis of 480 goals from 20 cancer survivors found that physical activity accounted for 26.9% of all goals and diet accounted for 24.2%, making these the two most common focus areas during a 12-week occupational therapy intervention.
Research reviewed by Gram found that cancer survivors in a 12-week health behavior program set an average of 24 goals each, with 13 distinct goal categories identified, indicating that survivors pursue health improvements across many different life areas beyond just exercise and diet.
A 2026 pilot study of 20 cancer survivors identified significant individual differences in goal-setting behaviors, with some survivors setting goals frequently across multiple topics while others focused on fewer goals in specific areas, suggesting the need for personalized support approaches.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How cancer survivors choose and set their own health goals when working with an occupational therapist (a healthcare professional who helps people do daily activities better)
- Who participated: 20 adult cancer survivors who participated in a 12-week program designed to help them improve their health habits and lifestyle
- Key finding: Cancer survivors set 480 total goals over 12 weeks, with most goals focusing on exercise (26.9%) and diet (24.2%). However, each person’s goal-setting style was unique, with some people setting many goals and others focusing on just a few areas.
- What it means for you: If you’re a cancer survivor, your healthcare team should help you set goals that match your personal style and needs, rather than giving everyone the same advice. This personalized approach may help you stick to healthy changes better.
The Research Details
Researchers looked at notes from therapy sessions with 20 cancer survivors who participated in a 12-week health behavior program. Instead of doing experiments or surveys, they carefully read through all the therapy notes and organized every goal that participants set into categories. This method, called qualitative content analysis, helps researchers understand patterns in how people think and behave without using numbers or statistics.
The therapists wrote down each short-term goal that survivors wanted to achieve. The research team then read all these goals and sorted them into 13 different categories based on what each goal was about. This approach let the researchers see what survivors actually cared about and how their goal-setting styles differed from person to person.
This type of study is useful for understanding real-world behavior because it looks at what people actually do and say, rather than testing a specific hypothesis. It’s like observing people in their natural environment instead of conducting a controlled experiment.
This research approach matters because it reveals how real people set goals in real healthcare settings. By analyzing actual therapy notes instead of asking people to remember their goals later, the researchers got accurate information about what survivors truly prioritized. Understanding individual differences in goal-setting can help therapists and doctors provide better, more personalized support.
This is a small pilot study with only 20 participants, so the findings give us a starting point for understanding goal-setting but shouldn’t be considered definitive. The study was well-designed for exploring patterns and differences, but larger studies would be needed to confirm whether these patterns hold true for all cancer survivors. The fact that researchers carefully organized and categorized 480 goals shows they took a thorough approach to analyzing the data.
What the Results Show
The study found that cancer survivors set an average of 24 goals each over the 12-week program. The two most common types of goals were physical activity (exercise) at 26.9% of all goals and diet (eating habits) at 24.2% of all goals. These two categories together made up about half of all the goals that survivors set.
However, the most interesting finding was that survivors’ goal-setting styles varied dramatically from person to person. Some survivors set goals very frequently and across many different areas of their lives, while others set fewer goals and focused on just one or two specific topics. This suggests that cancer survivors have very different preferences for how they approach making lifestyle changes.
The researchers identified 13 different goal categories in total, meaning survivors were thinking about much more than just exercise and diet. They also set goals related to sleep, stress management, social activities, and other aspects of their daily lives. This shows that cancer survivors have diverse needs and interests when it comes to improving their health.
Beyond the main focus on exercise and diet, survivors set goals in 11 other categories. These included goals related to sleep quality, managing stress and emotions, spending time with family and friends, work or daily activities, managing pain, taking medications properly, and other health-related behaviors. The variety of goal categories suggests that survivors view health improvement as involving many different parts of their lives, not just what they eat or how much they exercise.
Previous research has shown that goal-setting is an effective way to help people change their health behaviors. This study builds on that knowledge by showing that the way people set goals is highly individual. While earlier studies focused on whether goal-setting works in general, this research highlights that survivors need different types of support based on their personal goal-setting style. This finding suggests that future health programs should be more flexible and personalized.
The biggest limitation is the small sample size of only 20 survivors. This means the findings may not apply to all cancer survivors, and larger studies are needed to confirm these patterns. The study also only looked at survivors who participated in this specific 12-week program, so we don’t know if survivors in other programs or settings would set goals the same way. Additionally, the study didn’t follow survivors after the program ended, so we don’t know whether the goals they set actually led to lasting behavior changes.
The Bottom Line
Cancer survivors should work with their healthcare team to create personalized goal-setting plans that match their individual style and preferences. Rather than following a standard list of health recommendations, survivors should identify which areas matter most to them, whether that’s exercise, diet, sleep, stress management, or other factors. Healthcare providers should be flexible and adapt their support based on how each survivor naturally approaches goal-setting. Confidence level: Moderate, based on this pilot study and previous research showing goal-setting effectiveness.
This research is most relevant for cancer survivors who are working on improving their health after treatment. It’s also important for occupational therapists, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who support cancer survivors. Family members and caregivers may also benefit from understanding that survivors have different approaches to goal-setting. This research is less relevant for people who have not had cancer, though the principles of personalized goal-setting may apply to other health conditions.
Survivors may see benefits from personalized goal-setting within the first few weeks as they gain clarity about their priorities. More significant behavior changes typically take 4 to 12 weeks to develop, which is why the program in this study lasted 12 weeks. Long-term success depends on whether survivors can maintain their new habits after the formal program ends, which requires ongoing support and motivation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of health goals do cancer survivors typically set?
Cancer survivors most commonly set goals related to physical activity (26.9%) and diet (24.2%), but also pursue goals in 11 other areas including sleep, stress management, social connection, and medication adherence. Individual survivors vary widely in which areas they prioritize.
Should all cancer survivors follow the same health recommendations?
No. This research shows that cancer survivors have very different goal-setting styles and priorities. Personalized approaches that match each survivor’s individual preferences and needs appear more effective than one-size-fits-all recommendations.
How many goals should a cancer survivor set at one time?
This study found that survivors naturally set different numbers of goals based on their personal style. Some set many goals across different areas, while others focus on fewer goals. Work with your healthcare team to find an approach that feels manageable and sustainable for you.
Can occupational therapy help cancer survivors improve their health?
Yes. This study shows that occupational therapists can effectively support cancer survivors in setting and pursuing health behavior goals. The personalized, goal-setting approach helped survivors identify priorities across multiple areas of their lives.
How long does it take to see results from health goal-setting?
The 12-week program in this study allowed survivors to develop new habits and see changes. Most people need 4 to 12 weeks to establish new behaviors, though ongoing support helps maintain long-term success.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your weekly goal-setting patterns by recording how many goals you set each week and which categories they fall into (exercise, diet, sleep, stress, social, etc.). This helps you understand your personal goal-setting style and whether you’re focusing on the areas that matter most to you.
- Use the app to set one primary goal and two to three secondary goals each week, based on your personal preferences. If you naturally like setting many goals, the app can help you organize them by category. If you prefer focusing on fewer goals, the app can help you prioritize and avoid overwhelming yourself.
- Review your goal categories monthly to see if you’re balancing different areas of health (exercise, diet, sleep, stress management, social connection) or if you’re focusing heavily on just one or two areas. Adjust your approach based on what feels sustainable for you, rather than trying to match someone else’s goal-setting style.
This research is based on a small pilot study of 20 cancer survivors and should not be considered definitive medical advice. Cancer survivors should work with their healthcare team, including oncologists, nurses, and therapists, to develop personalized health plans appropriate for their specific type of cancer, treatment history, and current health status. Always consult with your doctor before starting new exercise programs or making significant dietary changes. This article is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical guidance.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.