SHORE-C Study

Principal Investigator - Dr Sally Wheelwright

Co-Investigator - Dr Luke Hodgson

Co-Investigator - Dr Helena Harder

Collaborator - Dr Anacarolina Goncalves

Collaborator - Dr Todd Leckie

Collaborator - Dr Christina Koulouglioti

Collaborator - Dr Alan Richardson

Collaborator - Mhairi Donald

Collaborator - Ann Maloney

Collaborator - Zoe Thompson

Collaborator - Dave Chuter

Funder: Sussex Cancer Fund

Sponsor: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Bowel cancer (also called colorectal cancer) is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK. Doctors know that being physically active - like walking, gardening, housework, doing exercises or playing sports - can help people with cancer feel better, recover faster, and even lower the chance of the cancer coming back. But many people with bowel cancer are not active after they are diagnosed, especially those who were not very active to begin with.

This project is all about helping those people - the ones who are the least active - to move more before and after their bowel cancer surgery. The researchers want to create a special programme that encourages and supports these patients to be more active in a way that feels right for them. People living in deprived areas, those who are older, frailer or living with ongoing health conditions are less likely to be physically active. The programme will be designed with these communities in mind.

To do this, the research team will work closely with the people who will use and deliver the programme. This includes patients, nurses, cancer support workers, and other health experts. Together, they'll design the programme step by step, making sure it's easy to use, helpful, inclusive and fits into people's lives.

The team will test the programme with real patients and support workers to see what works and what needs to be improved. The goal is to have a finished version that can be tested in a bigger study later on.

This research is important because it focuses on people who rarely take part in health programmes. By helping them get moving safely, this project could lead to better recovery, improved quality of life, and fairer healthcare for everyone.