Millions for the University for an initiative to support people affected by cancer

The Swedish Cancer Society, Cancerfonden, has awarded approximately 5.6 million kronor to the University of Gävle for a brand-new graduate school and a research position, the “Fellowship in Nursing Science.” Both initiatives focus on supporting people affected by cancer.

The new graduate school has been named CaTS, which stands for Cancer Care Research: Interdisciplinary Co-creation, and its purpose is to contribute to new knowledge about cancer care at various stages.

“It feels fantastic to be entrusted with the task of launching the CaTS graduate school together with so many talented research colleagues across the country, as there is a need to pool our efforts in graduate education regarding care, rehabilitation, and public health aspects for people with cancer and their families,” says Anna Efverman, associate professor of nursing science and the person responsible for launching CaTS next year.

Focus on interdisciplinary collaboration

The University of Gävle is the lead institution for CaTS, and three regions with a total of nine higher education institutions are co-applicants in the application to launch the research school.

– The aim is to offer networking activities for doctoral students, which will promote interprofessional collaboration between researchers, cancer care providers, people with cancer, and their loved ones. “The aim is also to offer doctoral courses on cancer care research across all phases through interprofessional collaboration and to rapidly translate new knowledge into cancer care practice,” says Anna Efverman.

In addition to the approximately 2.4 million Swedish kronor allocated to the graduate school, the Swedish Cancer Society has also granted just over 3.2 million Swedish kronor for a six-year research position awarded to Emelie Mälstam, a postdoctoral researcher in nursing science and assistant professor in public health science at the University. Her focus will be on creating support for meaningful and engaging everyday activities that promote recovery and good health after cancer.

“The new research position is a very important opportunity for me to establish myself as an independent researcher and build a long-term and sustainable research program,” says Emelie Mälstam.

Interventions through primary care

The research focuses on how health and participation in daily life can be strengthened among people who have had cancer, through interventions in primary care.

“This may involve developing and evaluating person-centered, digitally supported lifestyle interventions in people’s daily lives—that is, what people actually do, want to do, and need to do in their lives. This includes both leisure and work, as well as the balance between them,” says Emelie Mälstam.

Text: Anna Sällberg