A CANCER researcher and a virtual reality expert are coming together to help cancer patients.

They have put together a “personalised VR experience” for patients to use while undergoing chemotherapy.

The technology, called Anywhere Else, aims to reduce patients’ fear and stress by temporarily immersing them in another world.

It is the brainchild of cancer researcher Dr Jacqueline Hall and Brighton VR specialist Stefano Bianchi, who suffered from the disease in his twenties.

Stefano, now 40, said: “While this isn’t a cure for cancer, I know the importance and difficulty of maintaining your quality of life and mood during treatment.

“Cancer can make you feel isolated, lonely and that you are losing control of your body and of your life so I wanted to do something to help.”

The pair have already started work on a basic version and tested it on patients. They say the results have been promising.

Now, they need funding to develop the technology before it can be rolled out to patients for free through the NHS.

Dr Hall said: “Anywhere Else VR is all about improving the experience for those undergoing cancer treatment.

“Anything we can do to reduce the feelings of loneliness and distress for people going through this is good for our patients’ wellbeing.”

Visit www.anywhereelse.co.uk for more information.