New Local Research Focuses on Well-Being of Breast Cancer Survivors, Seeking Participants
(posted October 13, 2009)
The number of women who die from breast cancer each year has been steadily declining since 1990, according to the American Cancer Society. Although prevention will always remain an important issue, the health and emotional well-being of survivors must also become a priority.
There is growing evidence that physical activity interventions can contribute to improved mood, quality of life, reduced fatigue and increased vigor among cancer survivors. That’s why researchers with The Miriam Hospital’s Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine are conducting several studies with survivors of all forms of cancer, including breast cancer, to identify effective ways of promoting physical and emotional health following cancer treatment.
Moving Forward Together 2
This study, led by Bernardine Pinto, PhD, is a follow-up to Moving Forward Together, a groundbreaking pilot study that provided some of the first evidence that community volunteers can successfully deliver a research-based physical activity program to breast cancer survivors. In Moving Forward Together 2, researchers from The Miriam Hospital will train community volunteers from the American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery program – who are breast cancer survivors themselves – to deliver a telephone-based physical activity intervention to women requesting Reach to Recovery services.Working in partnership with local American Cancer Society chapters, approximately 15-20 volunteers will be trained to offer the 12-week program, which consists of weekly phone calls with survivors to encourage them to engage in more moderate-intensity physical activity. A comparison group of breast cancer patients will receive emotional and informational support as part of an extended, 12-week version of traditional Reach to Recovery services.
Researchers will assess physical activity, fatigue and other outcomes throughout the program. If the physical activity program is found to be effective, there is a potential for dissemination among the 13,000 Reach to Recovery volunteers across the country. Moving Forward Together 2 is funded by the National Cancer Institute. For more information, contact Gail Agronick, PhD, at 401-793-8162 or Gail Agronick
Stride for Women
This research study, funded by the National Cancer Institute, is designed to help women who have a first degree relative with breast cancer become more physically active. Throughout this 12-week study, participants will regularly receive exercise information that has been shown to be effective in helping people become more physically active.Women between the ages of 18 and 65 who have a mother, sister or daughter diagnosed with breast cancer are invited to join the study. Participants must be a healthy female who is not a regular exerciser and does not have high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, heart disease or any type of cancer. For more information, contact Santina Horowitz at 401-793-8124 or Santina Horowittz.
Survivors Step into Motion
This study is testing a website designed to help young adults between the ages of 18-39 who have completed treatment for any form of cancer become more physically active. Young adult cancer survivors who participate are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive access for 12 weeks to a website that provides them with information about physical activity, including the benefits to cancer survivors who exercise, tips for becoming and staying active and lists of local resources such as hiking trails. The website also provides a way for participants to log their exercise goals and exercise performed. A comparison group will receive information about other cancer-related websites that may be helpful.To be eligible for the study, participants must have been diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 18 and 39, been diagnosed with cancer in the past 10 years and currently be in remission. This study is funded by the National Cancer Institute. To learn more, contact Santina Horowitz at 401-793-8124 or Santina Horowitz.
Survivors RENEW
The Survivors RENEW study is testing out a combined exercise and relaxation program designed for young adult cancer survivors between the ages of 18 and 39. The program includes weekly telephone coaching to assist participants in becoming more physically active and learning mindfulness meditation – a form of relaxation. Young adult survivors who participate in the study are randomly assigned to either receive this 12-week program right away, or after a delay.Eligible participants must have been diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 18 and 39, been diagnosed with cancer in the past five years and currently be in remission. This study is funded by the American Cancer Society. To learn more, contact Lynn Bucknam at 401-793-8233 or Lynn Bucknam.