Analysis of Perceptions, Preferences, and Participation Intention of Urban Forest Healing Program among Cancer Survivors

Abstract

It is important to manage the health of cancer survivors who have returned to their daily lives. An increasing number of cancer survivors are undertaking health care in forests near their residences. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the perceptions of forest healing and the program preferences of adult cancer survivors. Data were collected from 388 female cancer survivors through an online survey. Breast cancer survivors comprised 66.2%, and 63.6% of the study participants were diagnosed with cancer within 2 to 5 years prior to the study. The subjective health status was 2.68 ± 0.61 out of 4 points. Of the participants, 62.1% had heard of forest healing and 65.7% intended to participate in the forest healing program. Participants who frequently visited the forest were more likely to participate in the forest healing program in the future than those who rarely visited the forest. A survey among 255 people on specific preferences for the program found that the regular visit type was preferred over the one-time visit type. These results are meaningful because they can be used as a basis for the development of a forest treatment program that reflects the needs of cancer survivors.