Post cancer activity tracking

By Kath Gannaway

BREAST-CANCER survivors across Yarra Ranges are being asked to consider taking part in a 12-233K Cancer Council Victoria trial aimed at tracking activity benefits post breast cancer treatment.
CCV spokesperson Joseph Regan said although increasing physical activity after a breast cancer diagnosis had been shown to improve survival and other health outcomes, research showed that 84 per cent of women who had had breast cancer did not meet physical activity guidelines.
The study, planned for the three months from January to March 2017, will focus on women aged over 50 diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer.
Mr Regan said all participants would be given a Garmin Vivofit 2 fitness tracking watch as part of the study which aimed to test whether using wearable technology could increase physical activity and reduce sitting time among women who had undergone treatment for breast cancer.
Judy Sturt, convenor of Yarra Valley Ladies in Pink Family Cancer Support Group said research was important for the long term.
“People live with the disease daily, but research has an important role to play,” Ms Sturt said.
Mr Regan said CCV would like to have people signed up for the trail before Christmas.
For further information or to sign up: www.cancervic.org.au/activate .