Thanks to the Sunshine Coast Head and Neck Cancer Support Group fundraiser on July 13th, $10,000 was raised for Wishlist, with $5,000 directed to hospital accommodation and $5,000 directed to the University of the Sunshine Coast Stride-HNC Study - a research project investigating sarcopenia (muscle loss) in head and neck cancer survivors.
For those undergoing head and neck cancer treatment, therapies like radiation and chemotherapy can cause significant challenges, including sarcopenia.
Research team Professor Hattie Wright, Dr Bryan Chan, Dr Katharina Merollini and Kate Kropp will explore sarcopenia toxicity prevalence and diagnosis in head and neck cancer survivors.
Strong and healthy muscles help people with head and neck cancer cope better with their treatment and maintain independence, and is linked to less hospital admissions, lower need of health care, less treatment-related complications and fewer of these complications long-term.
Dr. Chan emphasized the importance of the study, "Maintaining muscle health is key to improving survivorship and quality of life."
“Sarcopenia, or muscle weakness, is a major issue during treatment, and it's important to prevent it because maintaining muscle helps patients remain independent, complete treatment, and avoid hospital readmissions."
Patients undergoing treatment lose muscle mass and their muscles get weaker but it is unknown how quickly muscle mass builds back up, what strength is regained after treatment, and how habits may impact the recovery of muscle health.
The Stride study entails learning how the head and neck treating team identify and treat people diagnosed with cancer and low muscle health, and surveying the treating team to learn more about the steps they take to manage low muscle health.
Researchers will measure the muscle health, diet quality, exercise habits, and financial burden experienced by people after completion of treatment for head and neck cancer and examine the relationship between these measurements.
Findings will shed light on the recovery of muscle health and risk of poor muscle health in people treated for head and neck caner, as well as increase the understanding of factors that contribute to muscle health after treatment – and ultimately inform future cancer care pathways and practice.
“This study is crucial because if we can identify when muscle loss occurs and what factors influence it, we can intervene at the right time to improve survivorship and quality of life for our patients,” Dr. Rose said.
The generous contribution from the Sunshine Coast Head & Neck Cancer Support Group will go directly to helping those affected by cancer as they participate in this vital research.
