A major research project, which will investigate how cancer survivors can live healthier and happier lives following their treatment, has been announced.

The project will be conducted in Letterkenny University Hospital and it will focus on how to help patients feel better both physically and psychologically.

According to one of the lead researchers, Dr Janice Richmond, while the number of people in Ireland getting cancer is increasing, ‘more people are living longer after cancer and even being cured'.

"Cancer treatment is tough and can affect how someone is able to get back to work, care for their loved ones or just be involved in life again. Often there are follow-up hospital appointments which are focused more on physical symptoms and wellbeing after treatment, but these rarely help people get their overall general health back on track," she noted.

She explained that the aim of this research is to see ‘if we can improve how people feel both physically and psychologically after they have had cancer'.

"This involves approaching people who have had cancer and who are overweight and asking them to take part in this study so that we can help them improve their health. Being overweight has been shown to negatively affect survival rates following cancer as well as making people feel less well overall," Dr Richmond said.

The project will involve 120 participants who will be attending the cancer unit in Letterkenny. Half will receive the standard cancer follow-up care, while the other half will also be given support and advice on how to improve their diet and activity levels.

All of the participants will also wear a device that monitors their diet, activity levels and sleep patterns. They will be monitored for six months and at the middle and end of this period, their health will be assessed to see if there have been any improvements.

The participants will also be asked how they found the whole experience.

The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) is providing €100,000 in funding to the project, and funds raised by the Donegal Relay for Life programme this year will also go towards the project.

Relay For Life is a 24-hour event that brings together the local community to celebrate the lives of cancer survivors, to remember those who have died from the disease, and to raise money to fund research and services to support those affected by cancer. The sixth Relay For Life Donegal will take place in Letterkenny IT on May 27 and 28.

"For five years now, the people of Donegal have been staunch in their support of Relay For Life in aid of the ICS and the charity's work to fight back against this disease and support all those affected by cancer.

"All of us on the Relay For Life Donegal committee and our supporters in every corner of the county are immensely proud that money raised through Relay For Life is being used to directly support a new innovative project that originated from researchers at Letterkenny University Hospital," commented Relay for Life Donegal chairperson, Robert O'Connor.

According to the ICS, the number of people with cancer in Ireland is expected to double by 2040, which means a significant increase in the number of survivors.

"Patient-focused research projects, such as this one in Letterkenny, are vital when it comes to making sure that future cancer survivors are given the best possible care and support when it comes to their overall wellbeing," commented the ICS's head of research, Dr Robert O'Connor.

For more information on Relay for Life Donegal, click here

For more information on ICS research, click here