Marvin OnumonuBreast Cancer Now has awarded £101,028 to Dr Rebecca Vince (pictured) at the University of Hull to trial a home-based exercise programme for women returning to work after breast cancer.
The 12-week programme will involve 90 women who have completed breast cancer treatment and gone back to work.
Researchers will monitor physical activity, fatigue, mood, pain and work performance.
The study followed findings that one in three women experienced ongoing tiredness after breast cancer treatment, and 48% reported depression and anxiety.
Participants will give feedback on the support and join focus groups to discuss barriers to returning to work.
The programme is designed to be low-cost and flexible so women can fit it into their daily routines.
Vince said: “We hope our novel home-based exercise programme will help women build long-term healthy habits and improve their quality of life when returning to work.
“Quality of life is important, embodying good physical and mental health and overall well-being and happiness.
“We believe our programme can address these factors and fulfil a very unmet need for women after breast cancer.”
Dr Simon Vincent, chief scientific officer at Breast Cancer Now, said: “Almost 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK and this number is rising.
“This project has real potential to help improve women’s quality of life after breast cancer treatment and also help many of them when they return to work.
“While many women are living longer after a breast cancer diagnosis, the period after finishing active treatment can be very challenging.”
Vincent added: “So it’s vitally important these women get the support they need at this time to ensure they have the best possible quality of life.”
