Adjunct Professor
Sandi Hayes

Biography

• Cancer recovery


• Cancer rehabilitation


• Breast cancer


• Lymphoedema


• Exercise interventions

• Newman B, Davies P, Cornish B, Parker T, Hayes S, Hirst C, Green A, Aitken J. Limitations in upper-body function among Breast Cancer Survivors: A longitudinal study (Pulling Through Study [PTS]), NBCF Project Grant; $212,000 (10%) 2001-04. This was a population-based, longitudinal study that assessed the prevalence and trajectory of physical and psychosocial concerns experienced by women following breast cancer treatment.

• Turner J, Reul-Hirche H, Hayes S. Exercise and breast cancer, RBWH Research Institute; $13,000 (50%) 2003-04. This intervention pilot study aimed to improve our understanding of exercise prescription for women with breast cancer.

• Hayes S. Physical activity and breast cancer recovery: Research to reality, NBCF Postdoctoral Training Fellowship, $240,000 (100%) 2005-08. The objective of this fellowship was (i) to investigate the role of physical activity in enhancing functional capacity and quality of life among breast cancer survivors; (ii) to determine optimal exercise prescription guidelines for this population; and (iii) to investigate the most effective mechanisms to deliver exercise interventions to enhance quality-of-life throughout the breast cancer care continuum. In addition, the work has also incorporated a second primary focus, understanding the epidemiology, measurement, prevention and treatment of lymphoedema following breast cancer.

• Hayes S, Turner J, Reul-Hirch H. Randomised controlled trial of exercise in breast cancer patients with upper limb lymphoedema, Cancer and Bowel Research Trust; $20,000 (70%) 2005-06.The objective of this work was to improve our understanding of the safety and benefits of exercise for women with breast cancer-related lymphoedema.

• Hayes S, Newman B, Yates P, Eakin E, Battistutta D. Randomised controlled trial of exercise intervention for women with breast cancer, NBCF Project Grant; $310,000 (70%) 2006-08. This project involves evaluating an evidence-based exercise intervention, delivered via two different modes, designed to reduce physical symptoms and improve quality-of-life, among women during and following breast cancer treatment. Ultimately, completion of the project will enable a better understanding of the physical and psychosocial benefits attained and sustained through participation in supervised (exercise delivered face-to-face) versus unsupervised (delivered over the telephone) exercise interventions in comparison to those attained from current standard care. It will also provide valuable information in relation to the feasibility of integrating these interventions into clinical practice. If one or both of the interventions prove successful, this translational research is positioned to influence the standard of care provided to women with breast cancer.

• Eakin E, Hayes S, Lawler S. Using the telephone to promote exercise-based rehabilitation in rural/regional/remote (RRR) Australian breast cancer survivors, NBCF Pilot Grant; $85,000 (50%) 2006-08. This pilot study will evaluate the feasibility of a telephone-delivered exercise-based rehabilitation support program (used in P7) for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer living in regional, rural and remote areas of Queensland. Feasibility and effect size data from the pilot study will be used to refine the intervention and to inform a subsequent application for a fully powered RCT.

• Newman B, Kedda M, Janda M, Yates P, Hayes S, Ward L. Genetic polymorphisms and risk of secondary lymphoedema after breast cancer: a nested case-control study, Cancer Australia/NBCF; $215,000 (25%) 2008-09. This is a follow-up study to P1, however the focus is on lymphoedema rather than upper body function. The objectives of this work are to improve our understanding of the incidence of lymphoedema, as well as the genetic contribution towards risk.

• Hayes S, Millikan R. Integrating the PTS into Phase III of the Carolina Breast Cancer Study; (80%) 2008-10. This work involves integrating previous research hypothesis and methods utlised in P1 into a U. S. government-funded project, involving over 2000 women with breast cancer and 2000 controls.

• Obermair A, Janda M, Hayes S, Reul Hirch H, Ward L. Prospective evaluation of lymphoedema among patients with gynaecological cancer, Cancer Australia; $600,000 (50%) 2008-10. This project uses the experience gained from the P1 project. Results from the work will significantly advance our understanding of the measurement, incidence and aetiology of lymphoedema following gynaecological cancer.

• Breast cancer recovery


• Cancer rehabilitation


• Exercise science