The University of Canberra’s (UC) annual Women’s Celebration Breakfast is back this Friday 27 November, highlighting and supporting the hard work being done in cancer recovery research.
All proceeds from the event will go towards UC’s Pre-Habilitation, Activity, Cancer, Exercise And Survivorship (PACES) Research Group, established in early 2019.
Dr Catherine Paterson, Clinical Chair in Nursing (acting) and Co-chair of the PACES Research said the UC academics and clinicians involved were making waves in research around cancer recovery for patients and their loved ones.
“PACES research is embedded within a multi-disciplinary healthcare professional team to improve the physical and psychological wellbeing – not only for the person diagnosed with cancer, but their loved ones too,” she said.
“PACES research is focused on three distinct areas of cancer care research: pre-habilitation, physical activity and cancer thrivership across the cancer care continuum.”
One of the organisation’s research topics is looking into the benefit of exercise for patients during and after chemotherapy treatment.
Allied Health students at UC are also involved in the research centre, and tailor exercise interventions for individuals.
“Initially it focused on group-based exercise rehabilitation sessions provided by the UC Cancer Wellness Clinic at the ICON Cancer Centre,” Dr Paterson said.
“However, in 2020 it has evolved to include telehealth options (online sessions) and one-on-one sessions to minimise risk to participants concerned about exposure to COVID-19.”
One UC Cancer Wellness participant, Kathy, said her exercise program had been a game changer.
“I have stage four cancer. I can’t go to the gyms now they have reopened due to COVID-19 as it is too risky,” she said.
“Every time I face a new obstacle, we figure it out. The PACES researchers help me exercise safely. It’s a really important program.”
The Women’s Celebration Breakfast will be hosted by Virginia Haussegger AM, with guest speaker and UC health alumna, Suzie Hoitink.
The event will be held this Friday 27 November at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra.
