Supervisor:
Co-supervisor:
Dr. Grace Warner
Program of Study:
PhD in Health
Project Title:
Physical exercise in advanced and non-curable cancer: The role of the clinicians in assessing, advising, and referring patients to supportive exercise programs and the acceptance of these program from patients, family caregivers, and key stakeholders
Research Summary:
In 2017, more than 206,000 Canadians were diagnosed with cancer, with Nova Scotia
having some of the highest rates of cancer in the country. Advanced therapies have allowed
for more cancer patients who are diagnosed with a non-curable disease to live longer,
which puts a higher demand on the healthcare system to find ways to reduce symptoms
burden and improve quality of life. Traditionally palliative care has focussed on pain
management at the end of life (days, weeks, months); however, a growing body of evidence is
showing the need for an early palliative approach to care that can improve quality of life,
physical functioning and maintain activities of daily living. The uptake and implementation of
exercise into standard practice in cancer care continues to be limited, challenges including lack
of oncology care provider (OCP) knowledge and referral. In first assessing barriers,
facilitators, and preferences for individuals with non-curative cancer partaking in exercise
programs, oncology care providers will be asked to participate in focus groups to map these findings into local context and co-design a feasible exercise program with an easy-to-use referral system for oncology care providers. Findings from this study will inform a tailored, individualized, feasible exercise program for non-curative cancer patients, as well allow oncology care providers to refer to this program in a smooth and effective manner. This project is important as there is an increase in life expectancy when people are diagnosed with non-curative cancers, and to best suit these individuals, there needs be a sustainable way to maintain quality of life, active daily living and physical functioning.
Scholarships and/or Awards:
-
- Cancer Research Training Program (CRTP) Traineeship Award 2022
Career Aspirations:
My future plans are to assist in developing, implementing and evaluating exercise-based palliative care interventions across Nova Scotia. This work is important and highly relevant to cancer research given an increasing number of individuals living with non-curative disease and the lack of tailored exercise for these individuals
Location:
Dalhousie University
Publications:
Cassidy, C., Langley, J., Steenbeek, A., Taylor, B., Kennie-Kaulbach, N., Grantmyre, H., … & Isenor, J. (2021). A Behavioral analysis of nurses’ and pharmacists’ role in addressing vaccine hesitancy: scoping review. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 1-18.
Cassidy, C., Stratton, L., Taylor, B., Steenbeek, A., Langley, J., & Isenor, J. (2021). Characterizing nurses’ and pharmacists’ role in addressing vaccine hesitancy and/or refusal: A scoping review protocol.
Little, J. P., Langley, J., Lee, M., Myette-Côté, E., Jackson, G., Durrer, C., … & Jung, M. E. (2019). Sprint exercise snacks: a novel approach to increase aerobic fitness. European journal of applied physiology, 119(5), 1203-1212.