The experience of exercise in survivors of advanced lung cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the experience of exercise and physical activity in advanced lung cancer patients receiving targeted treatment or immunotherapy
IRAS ID
362824
Contact name
Nichola Gale
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Treatments available for advanced stage lung cancer have grown rapidly in the past 5 years. These changes include the widespread use of immunotherapy and targeted treatments. These treatments have resulted in patients living longer and patients may be on these treatments for many months or years. This has created a growing new subgroup of patients who are being described as survivors of advanced lung cancer and evidence suggests they may have unique and unmet needs that require different support and information. There is a lack of information specifically about advice around lifestyle interventions such as exercise in this patient group. There is increasing evidence that exercise has many benefits for lung cancer patients including improvements in quality of life and symptoms such as fatigue and breathlessness and is also safe for them to do. This study aims to explore the views of patients with advanced lung cancer receiving immunotherapy and targeted treatment around their beliefs, perceived role of and goals relating to exercise to help healthcare professionals ensure they are providing the most helpful support and advice. This will be achieved through use of questionnaires to capture patients activity levels, beliefs about possible benefits of exercise and confidence to engage in regular activity in the face of difficulties. Patients will also be asked if they would be willing to have an interview with the researcher to explore in more detail the impact of their cancer and it's treatment on their goals and experiences around physical activity and exercise. Participants would be a sub set of patients receiving treatment with immunotherapy or targeted treatment for a known lung cancer at a tertiary cancer hospital in Wales.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/PR/0627
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jun 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion