Preliminary results from the Call to Action program

De Sousa, Jessica
Rai, Navdeep

2020-04

Retreat environments are shown to provide emotional support and the opportunity for previous cancer patients to engage with fellow cancer survivors, experience therapeutic aspects of connecting with nature, and remove feelings of isolation, which are often present when undergoing traditional cancer treatment (Barber, 2012). Knights Cabin Cancer retreats was created in 2014 to improve health behavior post cancer diagnosis (see Lesser et al., 2019 for more information about the program). Preliminary findings of Knights Cabin retreats, which are no-cost retreats for participants and their supporters, show an improvement in mental health related QOL, physical activity, self-esteem, and perceived stress at the 3 and 6 month mark post-retreat. Adherence and motivation are challenging in cancer survivors due to the long-term adverse effects of treatment on psychosocial and physiological health. Thus, the aim of this report was to assess the impact of a behavioral phone intervention after participants attended a Knights Cabin Cancer retreat on health related QOL and physical activity.

This poster won an Associate Vice-President, Research, Engagement, and Graduate Studies award (2020). Advisors: and Dr. Iris Lesser, Department of Kinesiology, and Dr. Lisa Belanger.