Dr. Melanie Keats
While once considered a virtual death sentence, cancer, today, is no longer a disease with a certain end.
With continued advances in early detection, diagnosis and treatment strategies, the rate of long-term survival has greatly increased. Perhaps the most impressive advances have been in childhood cancer, where as many as 80% of children are surviving 5-years following diagnosis. Obviously, a large and growing community of cancer survivors is a tribute to the remarkable achievements in cancer research however the measure of success cannot be survival alone.
As no matter how impressive, survival data gives no indication of the quality of life expected or enjoyed by survivors. Accordingly, my research is dedicated to examining the determinants and impact of health promoting behaviors (i.e., physical activity) on the overall health, well-being, and quality of life of cancer survivors.
Acknowledging that cancer is a diagnosis that includes, at a minimum, physical, psychological, and social ramifications, a multifaceted approach must be considered in the comprehensive care and treatment of those affected. My overarching research goals are to investigate potential therapeutic interventions that will address these multidimensional issues and ensure an optimal quality of life. Specifically, my long-term research objectives include:
- Gaining an enhanced understanding of the impact of health promoting behaviors on cancer prevention, rehabilitation, coping, and recurrence,
- Examining the determinants of health promoting behaviors across various demographic, ethnic, and medical groups, and
- Examining the effectiveness of health promoting interventions designed to enhance overall well-being and optimize quality of life.
Although all areas of cancer research interest me, I am particularly interested in childhood cancers. I have chosen this research path as although we have recognized great improvements in survival, we have yet to realize an equal emphasis on long-term quality survival. Moreover, it is clear that young survivors are susceptible to the same unhealthy health habits as their peers who have never been treated for cancer as a child, even though the adverse consequences of engaging in these unhealthy habits are magnified amongst long-term survivors. Great strides have been taken in the treatment and cure of childhood cancers - NOW is the time to focus on continued health and quality of life.