Do community based activity days benefit childhood cancer patients?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does an annual community based activity day (Do It For You) increase participation in sports and leisure activities following a diagnosis of childhood cancer?
IRAS ID
139921
Contact name
Anna R Jenkins
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Survival rates for childhood cancer were now approaching 80%. Approximately two thirds of those surviving their disease had a significant risk of developing long term health problems as a result of their treatment. Many of these health problems were known to have modifiable risk factors, eg physical activity, smoking and diet. Children and young people diagnosed with cancer were known to have reduced physical activity levels compared to their peers. This in addition to their ongoing medical problems might have long term consequences including ill health and early death.
It was important to encourage children and young people to lead a healthy lifestyle from an early age. We organised a successful activity day (Do if for You) in 2012 for children and young people with a current or previous diagnosis of cancer with the aim of introducing different sports and activities in a safe and supportive environment. The main objective of this research study was to assess whether this kind of annual community based sport and activity day (Do if for You 2013), organised and attended by members of the child’s/young person’s healthcare team, increased levels of physical activity in children/young people treated for childhood cancer.
The study involved completion of 4 short questionnaires at 4 separate time points (at the DIFY day and then 3, 6 and 12 months after the day) by parents of childhood cancer patients. A separate questionnaire would also be given to children 11 years and over. The questionnaire focused on the amount and type of exercise or activity the child/young person took part in and also gathered information on stage of cancer treatment, health problems that might affect their ability to take part in activities and also whether there was anxiety related to participating in sport/activity.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
13/NS/0148
Date of REC Opinion
30 Oct 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion