AU researcher to launch major breast cancer patient study

March 13, 2009

Dr. Jeff Vallance, assistant professor in the Centre for Nursing and Health Studies at Athabasca University, has been awarded a $187,963 grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to conduct a three year study to examine strategies designed to facilitate physical activity behavior in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The study, which is anticipated to begin in September, 2009, will involve 290 breast cancer patients in southern and rural Alberta.

"Research shows that women receiving chemotherapy report a dramatic drop in their physical activity patterns that is often due to fatigue and the side effects of chemotherapy," says Dr. Vallance. "The exciting news is that recent research indicates that physical activity is safe and effective for cancer patients who are being treated by chemotherapy. It can enhance their self-esteem, reduce their fatigue, and increase their overall fitness."

"While we know regular exercise is generally good for you, we need to understand more specifically how exercise can help treat or prevent disease, and how we can encourage people to get regular exercise," says Dr. Jane E. Aubin, Scientific Director of CIHR's Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, which is leading a strategic initiative on physical activity, mobility and health.

Dr. Vallance says the study will equip breast cancer patients with specifically designed physical activity resources, a step pedometer to monitor their physical activity and walking activities, and step pedometer resources to help them increase their walking activity while they are going through their chemotherapy treatments which last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. The primary aim of the study is to determine if these resources will help patients receiving chemotherapy initiate and stay active during and even after their chemotherapy treatments.

To determine how effective the resources are, a randomly selected group of breast cancer patients will receive the physical activity resource kit and will be compared to a group of patients receiving only a generic 2-page brochure about physical activity.

"By studying the effects of physical activity on breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, Dr. Vallance will provide important new information on how physical activity can be safely and successfully integrated into cancer treatment programs," says Dr. Morag Park, Scientific Director of CIHR's Institute of Cancer Research.

 

Patients for the study will be recruited from cancer centres in Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, and Calgary.

"We're giving them the resources so that they can do this on their own time and their preferred location," says Dr. Vallance. "They won't need to travel to a fitness centre, hospital or other treatment centre to participate. And that's a big benefit of this type of study, especially for those living in rural communities."

Dr. Vallance, who lives in Medicine Hat, is particularly excited to initiate this study in his own backyard. "The big benefit of this study is that it will be available to all patients, regardless of whether they live in the city, or in the rural areas. Providing these patients with access and opportunity to research initiatives designed to their health is long overdue" says Vallance.

One of Dr. Vallance's co-investigators on the research study is Dr. Marc Trudeau, a Medical Oncologist and Medical Director of the Medicine Hat Cancer Centre. "Physical deconditioning often happens during breast cancer chemotherapy treatments. This study will help us to understand ways that we can help patients maintain and even increase their overall health through physical activity. Research studies like these will only benefit these women" says Trudeau.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health-care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to nearly 12,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada. http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca

Athabasca University is one of the world's foremost and fastest growing distance and e-learning institutions. The university serves over 37,000 graduate and undergraduate students and offers more than 700 courses in 90 undergraduate and graduate degrees, diploma and certificate programs.

For more information contact:

John O’Brien
Manager
Media Relations
Email: jobrien@athabascau.ca
Phone: (403) 298-2931 or (403) 990-1131 (cell)

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Updated December 16, 2009