PhD student Oliver Thurlow has been sponsored by the charity and will interview cancer patients and their families about their experiences to enhance understanding of how active respite breaks can help.
He said: “Activities such as cycling, sailing, trekking or skiing trips create memories and help people escape the emotional trauma that cancer invariably brings.
“Research has illuminated overwhelmingly positive experiences of moderate active interventions during or after treatment. The outcomes have provided insights into patients’ experiences, with several existing studies highlighting increased independence, feelings of heightened self-esteem, and a new sense of hope.”
“Our new research is the next step that is essential to advancing the knowledge of cancer patients’ experiences of active respite as opposed to a structured intervention. The research has the potential to form an original, innovative direction for future regional and national approaches for the treatment of cancer.”