Exploring views of healthcare professionals, researchers and people living with and beyond colorectal cancer on a healthy eating and active lifestyle resource.

Background: People after bowel cancer are at high risk of cancer recurrences and co-morbidities, therefore, strategies are needed to reduce these risks. One promising strategy targets modifiable lifestyle factors including diet and physical activity. However, effective, evidence based resources in adopting new lifestyle habits are currently lacking. Methods: The Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyle After Bowel Cancer (HEAL ABC) resource was developed incorporating behavior change theory and World Cancer Research Fund guidelines. Focus groups and telephone interviews were conducted with professionals and survivors (age >18) to obtain feedback on the resource layout, structure and content. Recorded data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using framework analysis. Results: Thirty participants evaluated the resource, 19 cancer survivors and 11 professionals. Survivors’ mean age was 62 years (SD 11.5), 11 (58%) were females and 8 (42%) were male. Professionals were all females and mean age was 40 years (SD 6.06). Both survivors and professionals evaluated resource as useful and provided suggestions for its improvement. Conclusions: HEAL ABC is an evidence-based resource designed to aid cancer survivors in translating their motivation into action. It was positively valued by both survivors and healthcare professionals and viewed as filling a gap in post-treatment advice.