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Cancer survivor study looking at connection to outdoor exercise needs more participants

Online study researching ways to provide better physical activity programs for cancer survivors
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Dr. Iris Lesser has been involved in several studies looking at the correlation between exercise and the mental wellbeing of cancer survivors, including one called Take A Hike, which was led by a UFV student in the fall of 2019. (UFV photo)

The time to participate in a B.C.-based study focusing on cancer survivors is coming to a close.

The study is via an online survey, open to all Canadian cancer survivors over the age of 19, and is called Active By Nature. It’s being run by the University of Fraser Valley’s Dr. Iris Lesser, along with Dr. Lisa Belanger, founder of the Knights Cabin Cancer Retreats.

The purpose of Active by Nature is to better understand the physical activity behavior, environment and psychosocial health of cancer survivors.

“Physical activity in nature, coined green exercise, may have additional benefits due to the stress reducing benefits of spending time in nature,” Lesser says. “Physical activity has been strongly associated with a reduction in anxiety and depression in cancer survivors.”

In the end, they hope to better understand what type of physical activity programming could be the most beneficial for cancer survivors. They are hoping to get as many cancer survivors to participate, but the window is closing for people to participate.

It takes about 30 minutes to complete the survey, through Survey Monkey (see link above).

This is not the first study connecting cancer survival and activity that Lesser has been involved with. She is also the lead for a hiking program run through UFV, and she has done research work with Knight Cabin Cancer Retreats as well.

READ MORE: UFV pandemic study on exercise and mental health complete

READ MORE: Nature and exercise combine for UFV study


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Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
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