A CHARITY and university are joining forces to research the benefits of providing sports and leisure events for families affected by cancer.

The University of Brighton and the 4 Cancer Group hope the study will better define the health benefits for patients and families and provide evidence to support the need to continue providing and extending the scheme.

Charity chairman Graham Precey said: “As a cancer respite charity with a sporting focus, we routinely fund respite days and short breaks for families recovering from cancer.

“We provide such services for about 750 annually with the aim of boosting this number to 1,000 people per year by the close of 2020.

“Our respite programmes involve three basic elements, namely relaxation, exercise and altitude. “Because stress is a huge aggravator for many different medical conditions, including cancer, our respite days and short-breaks are 100 per cent focused on relaxation.

“Given the emerging evidence that exercise also plays its part in cancer prevention and recovery, we also want to better understand how our sporting programmes can have a positive impact.

Lastly, there is new research which suggests that spending time at altitude has a positive effect of cancer incidence.

“The study will focus on exactly what people need to do to improve their chances of keeping cancer at bay.”

This four year study will build on research work the charity has already carried out with we have Loughborough University, which examined the effect of exercise in both preventing the onset of cancer and how it can help with recovery post diagnosis.”

Neil Ravenscroft, director of the university’s doctoral college, said: “We are excited to be working with 4 Cancer Group to help advance knowledge about the benefits of active respite care for those with cancer.

“Partnerships such as this are vital for the educational development of our students and also provide real-world insight and value, for partner organisations such as the 4 Cancer Group, and also for all of those working in the field of respite care.”

University vice-chancellor Debra Humphris said: “The results will have an impact both locally and nationally as we strive to better improve the odds of recovery for people recovering from cancer.

“This is the first relationship of its kind for us and in working together we will be completing real and tangible research that truly makes a difference into a subject that impacts so many.”