Helping People Cope with Cancer and Weight Loss: Sussex Cancer Fund Supports Groundbreaking Research Progress

People living with cancer often face challenges that go far beyond treatment itself. One of the most distressing can be unintentional weight loss, also known as cancer cachexia, which can affect physical strength, emotional wellbeing and quality of life for both patients and the people caring for them.

That is why Sussex Cancer Fund is proud to continue supporting the innovative CHANGES2 project, a pioneering digital intervention designed to help people better understand and cope with cancer-related weight loss.

The project is being led by Dr Sally Wheelwright, Brighton and Sussex Medical School and colleagues, whose work focuses on improving support and quality of life for people affected by cancer and the wider impact it can have on families and carers.

Building on earlier work previously highlighted by Sussex Cancer Fund, the project has already made significant progress and is now entering an exciting new phase of pilot testing and evaluation. The latest update shows how this important work is moving closer to making a real difference for patients and families across Sussex and beyond.

What is the CHANGES2 Project?

The CHANGES project was originally funded through an educational grant via the Gilead UK and Ireland Fellowship Programme. Sussex Cancer Fund is now co-funding the completion of the project and extension into CHANGES2, including a preliminary evaluation study.

The intervention is delivered through an accessible digital platform featuring films, animations, practical advice, interactive elements and psychological support. It aims to help people understand why weight loss happens during cancer, how to maintain nutrition when appetite is poor, and ways to manage the emotional impact that can come with these changes.

Importantly, the project is not just focused on patients themselves. It also provides support for carers, family members and loved ones, recognising the emotional and practical challenges they may also experience.

Pilot testing is now officially under way, with completion due by the end of June 2026. The preliminary evaluation study at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust will then follow, helping researchers better understand the impact and effectiveness of the intervention.

The project has already received international recognition within the cancer care community. The research team has been invited to present their work at the prestigious MASCC/ISOO 2026 Annual Meeting, a major international conference focused on supportive cancer care. This recognition highlights the importance and potential impact of the project in helping improve support for people affected by cancer-related weight loss around the world.

Helping People Cope with the Impact of Cancer Weight Loss

Steve Crocker, Lead for Research at Sussex Cancer Fund, said:

“We are incredibly proud to support research projects that focus on the real-life experiences of people living with cancer. Cancer-related weight loss can have a huge impact physically and emotionally, yet it is often something people feel unprepared for.

The progress being made through CHANGES2 is extremely encouraging. This digital resource has the potential to provide practical support, reassurance and understanding to patients and families at a very difficult time. Seeing the project now moving through pilot testing and receiving international recognition demonstrates the value and importance of this work.”

Sussex Cancer Fund works alongside NHS teams and researchers across Sussex to fund projects that improve cancer care, patient experience and local research opportunities. Every pound raised helps fund practical services, specialist equipment, refurbishment projects, wellbeing support and innovative research that directly benefits people affected by cancer in Sussex.

By supporting projects like CHANGES2, Sussex Cancer Fund is helping ensure that local people have access not only to excellent treatment, but also to the wider emotional and supportive care that can make the cancer journey more manageable.