Mild symptoms matter: Results from a prospective, longitudinal study on the relationship between symptoms, lymphedema and health-related outcomes post-gynecological cancer.

Objectives: To describe lower-limb symptoms pre- through to 2-years post-surgery following newly diagnosed gynecological cancer; to explore relationships between lower-limb symptoms, lower-limb lymphedema, body image, quality of life, anxiety and depression; and to determine whether lower-limb symptoms predict lower-limb lymphedema.

Methods: Fourteen lower-limb symptoms, lymphedema, body image, anxiety, depression, and quality of life were prospectively collected in 408 women with gynecological cancer pre-surgery, and at 6-, 12-, and 24-months post-surgery. Point prevalence and cumulative incidence were calculated for symptoms.

Pre-post feasibility trial of a telephone-delivered exercise intervention for patients during chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer: the ECHO-R trial protocol.

Introduction: The benefits of exercise in reducing treatment-related morbidity and improving quality of life following a primary diagnosis of cancer have been well documented and have led to exercise being recommended by oncology societies for all people with a cancer diagnosis. However, these recommendations are derived from research typically involving cohorts with more common cancers and relatively good prognosis, such as breast and prostate. Evidence from these cancers may not apply to women with recurrent ovarian cancer.

Is Vitamin D Level at Melanoma Diagnosis Associated With Stage Of Tumor? An Observational Study of Melanoma Patients Living in a High Ultraviolet Radiation Environment.

Objectives: This study will assess the relationship between vitamin D concentration at melanoma diagnosis and melanoma tumor characteristics, in individuals in a high ultraviolet radiation (UVR) environment.

Methods: We aim to recruit 600 recently diagnosed melanoma patients from Queensland, Australia, a high UVR location with one of the world's highest melanoma incidence rates. Patients are recruited through general practitioner, skin cancer specialist, dermatological and hospital-based practices.

Weight and weight change following breast cancer: evidence from a prospective, population-based, breast cancer cohort study.

Background: While weight gain following breast cancer is considered common, results supporting these findings are dated. This work describes changes in body weight following breast cancer over 72 months, compares weight with normative data and explores whether weight changes over time are associated with personal, diagnostic, treatment or behavioral characteristics.

Methods: A population-based sample of 287 Australian women diagnosed with early-stage invasive breast cancer was assessed prospectively at six, 12, 18 and 72 months post-surgery.

Changes in outdoor workers' sun-related attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors: a pre-post workplace intervention.

Objective: To evaluate changes in outdoor workers' sun-related attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors in response to a health promotion intervention using a participatory action research process.

Methods: Fourteen workplaces across four outdoor industry types worked collaboratively with the project team to develop tailored sun protection action plans. Workers were assessed before and after the 18-month intervention.

Incidence of unilateral arm lymphoedema after breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The body of evidence related to breast-cancer-related lymphoedema incidence and risk factors has substantially grown and improved in quality over the past decade. We assessed the incidence of unilateral arm lymphoedema after breast cancer and explored the evidence available for lymphoedema risk factors.

Methods: We searched Academic Search Elite, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (clinical trials), and Medline for research articles that assessed the incidence or prevalence of, or risk factors for, arm lymphoedema after breast cancer, published between Jan 1, 2000, and June 30, 2012.

Exercise for health: a randomized, controlled trial evaluating the impact of a pragmatic, translational exercise intervention on the quality of life, function and treatment-related side effects following breast cancer.

Exercise for Health was a randomized, controlled trial designed to evaluate two modes of delivering (face-to-face [FtF] and over-the-telephone [Tel]) an 8-month translational exercise intervention, commencing 6-weeks post-breast cancer surgery (PS). Outcomes included quality of life (QoL), function (fitness and upper body) and treatment-related side effects (fatigue, lymphoedema, body mass index, menopausal symptoms, anxiety, depression and pain). Generalised estimating equation modelling determined time (baseline [5 weeks PS], mid-intervention [6 months PS], post-intervention [12 months PS]), group (FtF, Tel, Usual Care [UC]) and time-by-group effects.

Prevalence of breast cancer treatment sequelae over 6 years of follow-up: the Pulling Through Study.

Background: There is a need to better describe and understand the prevalence of breast cancer treatment-related adverse effects amenable to physical therapy and rehabilitative exercise. Prior studies have been limited to single issues and lacked long-term follow-up. The Pulling Through Study provides data on prevalence of adverse effects in breast cancer survivors followed over 6 years.

Prevalence and prognostic significance of secondary lymphedema following breast cancer.

Background: The adverse consequences of lymphedema following breast cancer in relation to physical function and quality of life are clear; however, its potential relationship with survival has not been investigated. Our purpose was to determine the prevalence of lymphedema and associated upper-body symptoms at 6 years following breast cancer and to examine the prognostic significance of lymphedema with respect to overall 6-year survival (OS).

Methods And Results: A population-based sample of Australian women (n = 287) diagnosed with invasive, unilateral breast cancer was followed for a median of 6.

Design and implementation of the Exercise for Health trial -- a pragmatic exercise intervention for women with breast cancer.

Background: Exercise for Health was a pragmatic, randomised, controlled trial comparing the effect of an eight-month exercise intervention on function, treatment-related side effects and quality of life following breast cancer, compared with usual care. The intervention commenced six weeks post-surgery, and two modes of delivering the same intervention was compared with usual care. The purpose of this paper is to describe the study design, along with outcomes related to recruitment, retention and representativeness, and intervention participation.

Upper-body morbidity following breast cancer treatment is common, may persist longer-term and adversely influences quality of life.

Background: Impairments in upper-body function (UBF) are common following breast cancer. However, the relationship between arm morbidity and quality of life (QoL) remains unclear. This investigation uses longitudinal data to describe UBF in a population-based sample of women with breast cancer and examines its relationship with QoL.