Yale Researcher Awarded $2.2 million to Study Exercise Intervention for Women with Cancer
New Haven, CT — March 4, 2008
A Yale researcher has been awarded $2.2 million by the National Cancer Institute to devise new ways of making a woman's post-cancer years healthy and fulfilling.
M. Tish Knobf, PhD, RN, FAAN, AOCN, American Cancer Society Professor at Yale University School of Nursing and a member of Yale Cancer Center, is the Principal Investigator for an exercise intervention trial is to improve physiologic health outcomes in an at-risk early post-menopausal cancer survivor population.
"There are more than 10 million cancer survivors in the United States, and 22 percent are women diagnosed with breast cancer," Professor Knobf stated. "Cancer survivors face persistent physical symptoms as well as psychological distress when treatment ends. For long-term survivors, there are additional concerns related to late effects of cancer therapy, such as bone loss."
Women want to know what they can do to keep themselves healthy. Physical activity and healthy eating are health behaviors that can empower survivors and improve quality of life.
"We conducted a pilot study to look at the effects of exercise on physiologic outcomes that are associated with health risks," Professor Knobf continued. "There was an 88 percent adherence rate to the exercise program and women maintained their weight, had no change in bone mass, and improved psychologically."
The newly NIH funded randomized controlled intervention trial will continue to study the effects of exercise on physiologic outcomes in cancer survivors. Specifically, the intervention is designed to preserve bone mass and body composition, to improve metabolic risk profile and to improve functional status. Weight gain, changes in body composition, decreased physical functioning, bone loss and menopause (induced or natural) in women treated for cancer may increase risks for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. With an estimated 64% of cancer survivors now living longer than five years, interventions are needed to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence, secondary cancers and health risks for other chronic illnesses.
Co-investigators for the study, Dr. Lyndsay Harris and Dr. Karl Insogna, will provide additional expertise to help monitor the women enrolled in the study. Dr. Harris is an Associate Professor of Medical Oncology and Director of the Yale Cancer Center Breast Cancer Program. Her research focuses on the molecular classifications of breast cancer, particularly in minority women. Director of the Yale Bone Center and Professor of Internal Medicine, Dr. Insogna has clinical expertise on the disease-related causes of bone loss.
Yale University School of Nursing (YSN) enjoys a national and international reputation for excellence in teaching, research and clinical practice. One of Yale University's professional colleges, YSN is a leading school of nursing in the United States, enjoying a diverse community of scholars and clinicians with a common goal: better health care for all people. More information on YSN may be found at nursing.yale.edu.
Yale Cancer Center is one of a select network of 39 comprehensive cancer centers in the country designated by the National Cancer Institute and the only one in Southern New England. Bringing together the resources of Yale-New Haven Hospital and Yale School of Medicine, its mission encompasses patient care, research, cancer prevention and control, community outreach, and education. For more information, please visit yalecancercenter.org.
