Promoting physical activity after cancer

What’s the title of the study? 

A Qualitative Exploration of Oncology Healthcare Professionals’ Physical Activity Promotion Practices and Perspectives on Exercise Prescriptions for Cancer Survivors 

What’s the study about? 

Being active after cancer can make a real difference. But it isn’t always that simple. 

This study is looking at the healthcare professionals who support that change. The researchers want to understand how they talk about physical activity with people living with cancer. And they’ll explore whether written exercise prescriptions could help more people stay active. 

Right now, we don’t know enough about how confident professionals feel having these conversations. Or what gets in the way. 

By hearing directly from oncologists and oncology nurses, this research aims to build a clearer picture of what works and what needs to change. The findings will help shape a future study looking at how exercise prescriptions could support cancer survivors to be more active.  

Who’s organising it? 

Name of project lead: Emily Gee 

Job title: PhD researcher 

Organisation: Sheffield Hallam University 

Email address: e.gee@shu.ac.uk  

Who can take part? 

You can take part if you: 

• Are currently working as an oncologist (medical, clinical or surgical) or an oncology nurse (specialist cancer nurse, clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner etc) 
• Work in a patient-facing role with adult cancer survivors 
• Are based in the UK  

You won’t be able to take part if you: 

• Work only with children (paediatric oncology) 
• Are unable to speak English 
• Do not want to be audio-recorded 

Why do you want me to be involved? 

By taking part, you’ll be improving support for people after cancer by need to understand what’s happening in real conversations. 

Your experience can help highlight what works, what doesn’t, and what’s missing when it comes to promoting physical activity. That insight will shape the next stage of research.  

And in the future, the team hope to conduct a trial looking at whether exercise prescriptions can help people become more active after cancer. 

What will you ask me to do? 

If you choose to take part, you’ll be asked to join a one-off online interview, lasting around 30 to 45 minutes. 

The interview will focus on: 

• Your views on physical activity for people living beyond cancer 
• Your experiences of discussing or promoting physical activity 
• Your thoughts on using written exercise prescriptions 

There may also be an opportunity to take part in a future study, but this is optional.  

How do I get involved? 

You can register your interest by filling out the online form. The participant information sheet and consent form are at the beginning of the form. A member of the research team will then contact you to arrange an interview. 

If you have any questions, you can contact Emily at e.gee@shu.ac.uk. 

When’s the deadline? 

1 June 2026