UK Cancer Charities To Examine Positive Effects Of Altitude On Health

July 27, 2012 - PRLog -- Two of the UK’s leading alpine respite charities, the Caring Cancer Trust and Ski 4 Cancer have commissioned a review of recent medical studies which suggest that people living in alpine environments, i.e. at higher altitudes, have a lower chance of dying from heart disease, certain forms of cancer and tend to live longer than others.  
Both charities passionately believe in the therapeutic powers of the alpine environment.  

To this end, Ski 4 Cancer and the Caring Cancer Trust provide alpine respite holidays for British people living with cancer.  Whereas the Caring Cancer Trust’s Alpine Snowkids project focuses on restoring confidence in children who are recovering from cancer, Ski 4 Cancer’s programme focuses on alpine respite breaks for all the family.  

Andrew Hayward, Trustee at Ski 4 Cancer explained “Sadly, 40% of people in the UK will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime.  Consequently, it’s extremely important that we understand the impact of environmental factors which could help us to lower incidence over time.”

Hayward continued “This research is particularly important for charities such as Ski 4 Cancer and the Caring Cancer Trust because we both passionately believe in the therapeutic power of the mountains.   Now it seems there could be direct health benefits from spending time in alpine environments.”

The two charities, who have formed a close partnership in recent months, have asked Chichester University to assist them with their study.   Under the direct supervision of the University, one of their research graduates will be working closely with both charities to sift through the growing body of research, with the ultimate aim of helping people lead healthier lives.

Ian MacWatt, Chairman of the Caring Cancer Trust concluded “Our Alpine Snowkids project, sponsored by VOS Media, helps children to re-ignite their passion for life in a healthy alpine environment.  Like Ski 4 Cancer, we’ve seen the hugely positive effects that a relaxing holiday can provide first hand.  Given that we both operate in the alpine environment, it’s important that we understand the latest medical evidence and how it might benefit the people we help.”

For more information, visit:

http://www.ski4cancer.org
http://www.caringcancertrust.com

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About Ski 4 Cancer

Ski 4 Cancer provides alpine based respite days and holidays for British families affected by cancer and makes grants to UK based care institutions.  Ski 4 Cancer also funds research into the positive effects of sport and other forms of respite and how they can help prevent cancer and assist in recovery post diagnosis.

About Caring Cancer Trust

Caring Cancer Trust provides Adventure Healing Holidays for children recovering from cancer, enabling them to regain their self-confidence and re-ignite their passion for life after the trauma of their illness.  The psychological and physical transformation in each child who attends a trip is significant and often remarkable.  The Charity also provides in-patient support to children with cancer, and is currently funding work at Manchester University Hospital oncology research laboratories into causes, cure and prevention of Childhood Leukaemia.

In addition to providing emergency funds for amenities, equipment and facilities for adult cancer sufferers, the Caring Cancer Trust also funds ethical research into the causes, early diagnosis, treatment and cure of Cancer. The charity does this at specialist gynaecological oncology research laboratories that do not use live animals or embryonic human stem cells.