Research Database

Study design and protocol for moving forward: a weight loss intervention trial for African-American breast cancer survivors

  • Published on Dec. 29, 2015

Background: Breast cancer survival rates are significantly lower among African-American women compared to white women. In addition, African-American women with breast cancer are more likely than white women to die from co-morbid conditions. Obesity is common among African-American women, and it contributes to breast cancer progression and the development and ...


The Alberta moving beyond breast cancer (AMBER) cohort study: a prospective study of physical activity and health-related fitness in breast cancer survivors

  • Published on Nov. 16, 2012

Background: Limited research has examined the association between physical activity, health-related fitness, and disease outcomes in breast cancer survivors. Here, we present the rationale and design of the Alberta Moving Beyond Breast Cancer (AMBER) Study, a prospective cohort study designed specifically to examine the role of physical activity and health-related ...


Efficacy of a referral and physical activity program for survivors of prostate cancer [ENGAGE]: Rationale and design for a cluster randomised controlled trial

  • Published on June 13, 2011

Background: Despite evidence that physical activity improves the health and well-being of prostate cancer survivors, many men do not engage in sufficient levels of activity. The primary aim of this study (ENGAGE) is to determine the efficacy of a referral and physical activity program among survivors of prostate cancer, in ...


The effect of depression/anxiety on physical activity in breast cancer patients

  • Presented on May 21, 2014

Purpose: The potential health benefits of physical activity (PA) for women with breast cancer may be reduced by related symptoms of depression and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between total Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores on depression and anxiety and PA measured ...


Cancer cachexia and anabolic interventions: a case report

  • Published on May 15, 2012

Background: Standard-of-care (SOC) cancer treatments are primarily aimed at reducing size and progression of a tumor. There is a need for successful supplemental anabolic therapies to combat cancer cachexia in addition to these SOC treatment modalities. Anabolic interventions, including testosterone and amino acid supplements, may be beneficial in reducing and/...


Prospective examination of objectively-assessed physical activity and sedentary time after breast cancer treatment: Sitting on the crest of the teachable moment

  • Published on April 21, 2014

Background: This study prospectively examined patterns of objectively-assessed sedentary time and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during a one-year period following completion of primary treatment among breast cancer survivors. The potential moderating effect of weight status on sedentary and MVPA time was also examined. Methods: Breast cancer survivors [N=177; M(SD)...


Physical and psychological health among breast cancer survivors: Interactions with sedentary behaviour and physical activity

  • Presented on May 27, 2014

Background: Supportive care interventions are needed to reduce the chronic and late-appearing effects of breast cancer treatments. Reducing sedentary behaviour (SED) may be one promising strategy given the unique health benefits of low SED that are distinct from beneficial effects of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA). Objectives: To examine the ...


Agreement Between Accelerometer-Assessed and Self-Reported Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in Colon Cancer Survivors

  • Presented on April 2014

Aim: Research conducted on the general population indicates self-reported measures of physical activity and sedentary behaviour are inaccurate, however it is not clear if this also applies to cancer survivors. The aim of this study was to compare accelerometer-based and self-reported measures of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and ...


Accelerometer-Determined Physical Activity Among Colon Cancer Survivors: Associations with Health-Related Quality of Life and Fatigue

  • Presented on April 2014

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to determine associations of accelerometer-assessed moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and physical function and well-being in colon cancer survivors. Methods: Colon cancer survivors (N=181) from Alberta, Canada (n=92) and Western Australia (n=89) ...


Physical activity and global genomic DNA methylation in a cancer-free population

  • Published on March 1, 2011

Abstract: Changes in DNA methylation may represent an intermediate step between the environment and human diseases. Little is known on whether behavioral risk factors may modify gene expression through DNA methylation. To assess whether DNA methylation is associated with different levels of physical activity, we measured global genomic DNA methylation ...