Conclusions
cancer
CHILDHOOD CANCER, CANCER, RECRUITMENT, ADVERSE EFFECTS, HOLIDAY
In conclusion, the findings of this present pilot study demonstrate that it is feasible to conduct a RCT on a multi-component health promotion intervention such as the WAYA wilderness program. Both the wilderness and comparison holiday programs were acceptable for childhood and AYA cancer survivors. Serious adverse effects related to program participation were not reported and remaining effects were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within the study period. It was demonstrated that participation in the wilderness program was just as safe as spending vacation time at a Spa hotel. The findings of this study underscore the necessity to develop and apply other recruitment strategies in order to recruit sufficient participants for a future larger RCT. In the planning of such a large RCT it is recommended that the program content be adapted to stratify for the inclusion of cancer survivorship (childhood cancer versus AYA cancer), and to select health-related outcome variables based on the qualitative analysis of the lived experiences of participants in the program. This study provides critical and useful information for public health actors and outdoor/wilderness facilitators that plan to undertake wilderness expeditions with childhood and/or AYA cancer survivors. In addition, it informs researchers how to design a future larger RCT with the ultimate goal of investigating the effectiveness of wilderness programs on the health and well-being of childhood and AYA cancer survivors.