Proof of Life: a theoretical and empirical outline of a community and exercise based rehabilitation initiative developed by and for young adult cancer survivors

Despite their increased and accelerated cancer incidence, and unique demands for psychosocial support, young adult cancer patients have enjoyed less focus from researchers and improved care advocates than their younger counterparts. Inspired by principles of participatory action research and community psychology, this paper reports on the development, realization and evaluation of a community and exercise based rehabilitation initiative designed for and by young adult cancer survivors (YACS) in Denmark. The initiative consisted of a group-based training program towards participation in an extreme sport event (The KiliMAN Adventure Challenge) as a means to mark the float of an athletic association for YACS (proof of life). A convenience sample of 12 young adult cancer survivors (Team Proof of Life) between the ages of 22 and 39 years who had completed cytostatic treatment was recruited from The Body & Cancer (BODYCAN) Study at The Proof of Life – A Theoretical and Empirical Outline of a Community and Exercise Based Rehabilitation Initiative Developed By and For Young Adult Cancer Survivors Midtgaard J, Quist M. Copenhagen University Hospital, Department 7331 (UCSF), Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. Copenhagen University Hospital. The empirical material comprised a research notebook including e-mail correspondance, articipants’ accounts of training and competitions, meeting minutes, and indirectly estimated aerobic capacity of the participants during treatment, before and after training for the KiliMAN event. This material is incorporated into a discussion of how goal-directed exercise may enable adherence to physical activity and stimulate empowering and mutual supportive networks in YACS. It is concluded that peer-based athletic challenges may offer YACS an opportunity to discover and develop exceptional physiological and psychological potentials and hereby use their cancer experience as a vehicle for positive and sustainable change. Cancer in young adulthood continues to pose unique demands on both patients and health professionals and future studies should concentrate more on the impact of peer support and participation in extreme sport in the rehabilitation of YACS.