Breast cancer survivors sought to help current patients be more physically active

PROVIDENCE – Researchers at The Miriam Hospital are recruiting breast cancer survivors for a study with the American Cancer Society geared to encouraging women who are being treated for breast cancer – or who are recovering – to be physically active.
Studies have shown that exercise can improve both the everyday functioning and the quality of life of breast cancer survivors, but it’s often not a priority for women who are already stressed out and physically taxed by cancer treatment.
With this project, Miriam researcher Bernardine Pinto wants to test whether being encouraged by another breast cancer survivor will help motivate women to exercise.
The study, called Moving Forward Together 2, will recruit 15 to 20 volunteer coaches through American Cancer Society chapters across New England to supplement the work already being done by the society’s Reach to Recovery program.
The volunteers, all breast cancer survivors themselves, will be trained to make weekly phone calls to survivors who have sought the society’s services.
One group will just provide emotional support and information, extending the normal Reach to Recovery services. The second group will also specifically encourage women to engage in moderate-intensity physical activity and counsel them on how to do it.
Researchers will assess the participants’ physical activity, fatigue and other measures throughout the program. If they find the exercise promotion is effective, it could eventually become part of the work done by 13,000 Reach to Recovery volunteers across the country.
The study is recruiting both coaches and study participants. For the latter, researchers are looking for women diagnosed with Stage 0 to 3 breast cancer in the past five years who are 21 or older, able to walk without assistance, and able to read and speak English. They must also have access to a telephone.
The study is a follow-up to Moving Forward Together, a pilot study that found that community volunteers can successfully deliver a research-based physical activity program. The new study is funded by the National Cancer Institute. To learn more, call (401) 793-8162 or e-mail gagronick@lifespan.org.