Researchers want to work with Colorectal Cancer survivors and health professionals to co-design a digital intervention to help survivors improve their physical activity, diet and sleep quality and reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Why is this research being done?

Colorectal Cancer survivors are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease due to side effects of cancer treatment. Also, many survivors report being physically inactive, having an unhealthy diet, and having poor sleep quality, which can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Health programs are not specifically designed to help survivors improve these health behaviours. The research team need colorectal cancer survivors to work with them to design a program that can be used at home that provides survivors with professional guidance and support to help them move more, have a healthier diet, and sleep better. We need to find out from colorectal cancer survivors what would work and what wouldn’t work in the program so that it meets the needs of survivors and will help many colorectal cancer survivors in the future.

Professor Mitch Duncan spoke with 2NURFM's Mark Rorke about the study. Learn more about it from the interview here.
 

Who can participate in the research study?

The research team need help from adults with Stage I, II or III colorectal cancer who have completed cancer treatment in the last five years, and who
• Have been diagnosed by a doctor with high blood pressure, and/or high cholesterol, and/or type 2 diabetes, and/or have an unhealthy weight (BMI ≥25 kg/m2)
• Have a smartphone or tablet (e.g. iPhone, Samsung, Oppo, Nokia, iPad) with internet access,
• And have an email address

What will study participants be asked to do? What does the study involve?

Participants will be asked to participate in 3-4 group workshops (2-3 hours duration each) over the course of around two months, and participate in group discussions with the researchers.
The discussions will mainly be about lifestyle behaviours such as physical activity, diet/food intake, and sleep, and participants will be asked to share their thoughts and opinions. Participants will also be asked to complete questionnaires and do some tasks in between the workshops, such as use an app that is provided to log their activity, diet and sleep. This will take approximately 15 minutes each day. The workshops will be held at Newcastle, NSW and online via Zoom. Participants can choose to attend in-person, or online using their computer, smartphone, or tablet. As a gesture of appreciation, participants will each receive a $100 Woolworths gift card at the completion of each workshop.

Download the Participant Information Statement here

Contact

To participate in the Multi-health study or find out more please click here

If you have any questions, please contact Professor Mitch Duncan via email: mitch.duncan@newcastle.edu.au or telephone: (02) 49217805.