Cynthia ForbesUniversity of Hull · Hull York Medical School (HYMS)
Cynthia Forbes
PhD
Using behaviour change and digital technology to improve function and wellbeing among people with a history of cancer.
About
66
Publications
6,589
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936
Citations
Citations since 2017
Introduction
My main area of research is the role of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on quality of life among cancer survivors, and the utility of technology in assisting lifestyle behaviour change to influence quality of life and other health outcomes.
I am currently a Research Fellow funded by the Yorkshire Cancer Research Foundation with Hull York Medical School in Kingston Upon Hull.
Additional affiliations
June 2018 - present
Position
- Research Associate
Description
- Recipient of Yorkshire Cancer Research Foundation Career Development Fellowship
July 2017 - December 2017
Position
- Fellow
Description
- Recipient of Government of Australia Endeavour Research Fellowship
February 2016 - June 2017
Atlantic PATH
Position
- Researcher
Education
September 2009 - June 2015
Field of study
- Physical activity and Quality of Life in Nova Scotian cancer survivors
September 2005 - January 2009
September 1999 - May 2003
Publications
Publications (66)
Mobile health interventions are promising behavior change tools. However, there is a concern that they may benefit some populations less than others and thus widen inequalities in health. This systematic review investigated differences in uptake of, engagement with, and effectiveness of mobile interventions for weight-related behaviors (i.e., diet,...
Background
Lung cancer has one of the highest incidence and mortality rates worldwide. Physical activity can provide those diagnosed with lung cancer with several physical and psychological benefits. However, the examination of digitally delivered physical activity to those with lung cancer is not as researched as other common cancers. Often, those...
Background
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death globally. Physical activity and exercise provide unequivocal benefits to those living with and beyond lung cancer. However, few of those living with and beyond cancer meet the national physical activity guidelines. Various barriers exist for this population’s engagement in physical...
Purpose
To determine in people with a history of cancer, whether substituting sitting time with other daily activities (i.e., sleeping, walking, moderate and vigorous physical activity) was associated with changes in waist circumference (WC), an important surrogate marker of cardiometabolic risk.
Methods
Cross-sectional analyses from the Atlantic...
Preliminary research has shown the effectiveness of supervised exercise-based interventions in alleviating sequela resulting from metastatic prostate cancer. However, many individuals encounter barriers that limit the uptake of face-to-face exercise. Technology-enabled interventions offer a distance-based alternative. This pilot study aimed to expl...
![PRISMA flow diagram [23]](publication/351686435/figure/fig1/AS:1025044000043008@1621400942176/PRISMA-flow-diagram-23_Q320.jpg)
Purpose
To examine the evidence of the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of online supportive care interventions for people living with and beyond lung cancer (LWBLC).
Methods
Studies were identified through searches of Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and CINAHL databases using a structured search strategy. The inclusion criteria (1)...
Introduction
Contemporary work environments increasingly rely upon a 24-hour work cycle resulting in more employees exposed to shift work. Thirty percent of working age Canadians work evening, night and rotating shifts. Compared to regular daytime work, shift work has the potential for disturbing sleep patterns and disrupting circadian rhythms with...
We evaluated the relationship between mental health and shift work in the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow's Health (PATH) cohort study. In a matched study with 12,413 participants, including 4155 shift workers and 8258 non-shift workers, we utilized general linear models and logistic regression models to assess the differences in depression, anxi...
BACKGROUND
Digital health interventions such as tailored websites are emerging as valuable tools to provide individualised exercise and behavioural change information for individuals diagnosed with cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this research was to investigate and iteratively refine the acceptability and usability of a web-based exercise interv...
Background
Digital health interventions such as tailored websites are emerging as valuable tools to provide individualized exercise and behavioral change information for individuals diagnosed with cancer.
Objective
The aim of this study is to investigate and iteratively refine the acceptability and usability of a web-based exercise intervention (E...
Introduction
Preliminary research has shown the effectiveness of supervised exercise-based interventions in alleviating sequela resulting from metastatic prostate cancer. Despite this, many individuals do not engage in sufficient exercise to gain the benefits. There are many barriers, which limit the uptake of face-to-face exercise in this populati...
Background
Older people with lung cancer are often frail and unfit due to their cancer and co-morbidities and may tolerate cancer treatments poorly. Physical activity (PA) and a healthy diet offer quality of life benefit to people with cancer before, during, and post treatment. However, older adults are poorly represented in the clinical trials on...
PurposeThe aim of this review was to summarize the current literature for the effectiveness of activity and nutritional based interventions on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older adults living with and beyond cancer (LWBC).Methods
We conducted systematic structured searches of CINAHL, Embase, Medline, Cochrane CENTRAL databases, and bib...
Background:
Few individuals with metastatic prostate cancer have access to prostate cancer-specific exercise support, despite demonstrated benefits. eHealth tools, such as websites, may be viable options for increasing access. To be effective and acceptable, future eHealth websites need to consider end-users' perspectives, capacity and needs. We a...
Introduction:
Preliminary research has shown the effectiveness of supervised exercise-based interventions in alleviating sequela resulting from metastatic prostate cancer. Despite this, many individuals do not engage in sufficient exercise to gain the benefits. There are many barriers which limit the uptake of face-to-face exercise in this populati...
Introduction:
Preliminary research has shown the effectiveness of supervised exercise-based interventions in alleviating sequela resulting from metastatic prostate cancer. Despite this, many individuals do not engage in sufficient exercise to gain the benefits. There are many barriers which limit the uptake of face-to-face exercise in this populati...
This presentation describes the results of qualitative interviews that aimed to assess the acceptability, usefulness, and practicality of delivering a tailored wellbeing programme for older adults with lung cancer before, during, and after cancer treatment.
Purpose: To report the prevalence of receiving physical activity counselling and any associations with physical activity behaviour among people living with and beyond breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer.
The population of Atlantic Canada is aging rapidly and has among the highest rates of chronic disease in the country. This cross-sectional study drew data from the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (Atlantic PATH) study to investigate the association between physical activity and self-rated health among adults in this population. The resul...
Background:
Women attending mammography screening units (msus) and well women's clinics (wwcs) represent a motivated cohort likely to engage in interventions aimed at primary breast cancer (bca) prevention.
Methods:
We used a feasibility questionnaire distributed to women (40-49 or 50-74 years of age) attending msus and wwcs in Halifax, Nova Sco...
Purpose
To evaluate the relationship between anthropometric measures and cardiometabolic health in shift workers compared to non-shift workers.
Methods
A population health study was conducted with 4155 shift workers and 8258 non-shift workers from the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (PATH) cohort. Linear and logistic regression models w...
Background Unmet physical activity and nutritional needs are key concerns for older adults with cancer; these are known to impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL) significantly. Poster presentation by Cynthia Forbes Career Development Research Fellow Cindy.Forbes@hyms.ac.uk Aim To summarize the current literature regarding activity and nutrit...
Purpose: Despite the benefits, physical activity levels are low among women with breast cancer; about 70% not engaging in the recommended levels for health benefits. In addition, they spend approximately 66% of their waking time sedentary. Research shows various forms of web-based technology (eHealth/mHealth) to be effective in facilitating activit...
Objective: Research shows that dog ownership may be associated with improvements in physical and mental health among general populations. Recently research has looked at this association among chronic disease populations; however, there is still little evidence in this area. It is thought that the association may be due to the potential extra physi...
Purpose
To describe and compare the sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics of urban and rural residents in Atlantic Canada.
Methods
Cross‐sectional analyses of baseline data from the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow's Health cohort were conducted. Specifically, 17,054 adults (35‐69 years) who provided sociodemographic characteristics, mea...
Purpose
To examine the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of online supportive care interventions targeting prostate cancer survivors (PCS).
Methods
Studies were identified through structured searches of PubMed, Embase and PsycINFO databases, and bibliographic review. Inclusion criteria were (1) examined feasibility, acceptability, or effica...
Purpose: Activity behaviors of breast cancer survivors (BCSs) during treatment are unlikely to be at levels sufficient enough to gain health benefits. Previous activity research among BCSs has been mainly posttreatment and generally cross-sectional. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and changes in objectively measured moderate-to-vigorou...
The authors request the following corrections to their paper [1]. [...]
Computer-tailored intervention content tailored to individual characteristics, website/program interactivity, and use of reminders or prompts to action have been linked to user engagement. • We partnered with a team of researchers in Australia with expertise in developing computer-tailored physical activity programs delivered via print-and web-base...
Objectives
The prevalence of obesity among populations in the Atlantic provinces is the highest in Canada. Some studies suggest that adequate fruit and vegetable consumption may help body weight management. We assessed the associations between fruit and vegetable intake with body adiposity among individuals who participated in the baseline survey o...
Introduction
Contemporary work environments increasingly rely upon a 24 hour work cycle resulting in more employees exposed to shift work. 30% of working age Canadians work evening, night and rotating shifts, and 21% of workers in the European Union. Compared to regular daytime work, shift work has the potential for disturbing sleep patterns and di...
Context
The increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes greatly influences the risk of cardiovascular (CV) related comorbidities and impacts the quality of life of many. However, the relationship between diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular risk is complex and requires further investigation to understand the biological milieu connecting these con...
The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between adipokines and adiposity in individuals with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis in the Atlantic PATH cohort. Using a nested case-control analysis, participants in the Atlantic PATH cohort with rheumatoid or osteoarthritis were matched for measures of adiposity with participants without...
The aim of this study was to examine diet quality among participants in the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (PATH) cohort and to assess the association with adiposity. Data were collected from participants (n = 23,768) aged 35–69 years that were residents of the Atlantic Canadian provinces. Both measured and self-reported data were used...
Owing to an aging population and medical advances, the anticipated growth and prevalence of multimorbidity has been recognized as a significant challenge and priority in health care settings. Although physical activity has been shown to play a vital role in the primary and secondary prevention of chronic disease, much less is known about the relati...
Background:
Dog ownership has been associated with higher rates of physical activity (PA) in several populations but no study to date has focused on cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between dog ownership and PA among cancer survivors; and to examine correlates of dog ownership.
Methods:
A stratified ran...
Objective: To examine the effects of an internet-delivered, distance-based physical activity (PA) behaviour change programme on motivation to perform PA in cancer survivors.
Design: Breast, prostate and colorectal cancer survivors (N = 95) were randomized to either an online Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB)-based PA behaviour change programme (UCA...
Purpose: Physical activity (PA) improves quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer survivors (BCS). Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) has been positively linked with health-related QoL (HRQoL) indicators. This study examined associations between HRQoL and objectively measured PA (MVPA and light) and sedentary behaviour. Methods: Participants completed ba...
Purpose: Dog ownership has been associated with increased physical activity (PA) levels among general and chronic disease populations. Dog ownership rates in the United States and Canada are approximately 40% and 34%, respectively. There has yet to be a study that examines the associations of dog ownership and physical activity among cancer survivo...
Purpose: Sedentary time (ST) has been shown to be a risk of chronic disease independent of meeting public health physical activity (PA) guidelines. Studies have shown that cancer survivors are more inactive than the general population. There is little research among cancer survivors examining sedentary time; however, recent studies suggest that can...
Background: Physical activity (PA) behavior change interventions among cancer survivors have used face-to-face, telephone, email, and print-based methods. However, computer-tailored, Internet-delivered programs may be a more viable option to achieve PA behavior change.
Purpose: Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) has been shown to impact overall and health related quality of life (QoL). Studies among cancer survivors have revealed low self-reported PA levels. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and sedentary time among breas...
Purpose: Previously, we reported the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an internet-delivered physical activity (PA) behaviour change program among cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to examine effects of this program on motivation. Methods: 95 cancer survivors were randomized into either UCAN, a Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB)...
Background
Exercise is beneficial for breast cancer patients during chemotherapy, but their motivation to perform different types and doses of exercise is unknown.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine the anticipated and experienced motivation of breast cancer patients before and after three different exercise programs during chemothera...
Exercise dose comparison trials with biomarker outcomes can identify the amount of exercise required to reduce breast cancer risk and also strengthen the causal inference between physical activity and breast cancer. The Breast Cancer and Exercise Trial in Alberta (BETA) tested whether or not greater changes in estradiol (E2), estrone, and sex hormo...
Purpose: Physical activity (PA) improves symptom control, quality of life and possibly survival in cancer survivors but participation rates are low. Research shows that behaviour change interventions may positively influence PA but traditional behaviour change methods can be time consuming and costly. Previous research into the PA counselling and p...
Objective: Recent research shows that strength exercise improves many health outcomes in cancer survivors including muscular strength and endurance, lean body mass, fatigue and quality of life but few studies have examined the prevalence and correlates of strength exercise among cancer survivors. Studies among colorectal and breast cancer survivors...
To identify and compare the prevalence and correlates of strength exercise among breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer survivors.
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Cross-sectional, descriptive survey.
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Nova Scotia, Canada.
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741 breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer survivors.
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A stratified sample of 2,063 breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer survivors diagnosed from...
Background:
Physical activity (PA) preferences may vary by cancer survivor group, but few studies have made direct comparisons. The purpose of this study was to compare the PA preferences of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer survivors in Nova Scotia (NS), Canada.
Methods:
Two thousand sixty-two breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer survi...
Background: Physical activity (PA) preferences may vary by cancer survivor group but few studies have made direct comparisons. The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the PA preferences of breast, prostate and colorectal cancer survivors in Nova Scotia, Canada. Methods: A stratified sample of 2063 breast, prostate and colorectal cance...
s: Thirty-Sixth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium - Dec 10-14, 2013; San Antonio, TX
Background: Aerobic and resistance exercise, either separately or in combination, have been shown to improve physical functioning and manage some symptoms in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Few exercise trials, however, have compa...
Background: Exercise may improve psychosocial distress in patients with cancer; however, few studies have examined the effects of different types or doses of exercise, or whether exercise effects are related to baseline depression levels.
Methods: In a multicenter trial in Canada, we randomized 301 patients with breast cancer initiating chemotherap...
To examine the effects of different doses and types of exercise on sleep quality in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. A multicenter trial in Canada randomized 301 breast cancer patients between 2008 and 2011 to thrice weekly, supervised exercise during chemotherapy consisting of either a standard dose of 25-30 min of aerobic exercise (...
San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
The purpose of this study was to compare the medical, demographic and social cognitive correlates of physical activity (PA) in breast (BCS), prostate (PCS) and colorectal (CRCS) cancer survivors.
A stratified random sample of 2062 BC, PC and CRC survivors diagnosed between 2003 and 2011 was identified by the Nova Scotia Cancer Registry (NSCR) and m...
Exercise improves physical functioning and symptom management during breast cancer chemotherapy, but the effects of different doses and types of exercise are unknown.
A multicenter trial in Canada randomized 301 breast cancer patients to thrice-weekly supervised exercise during chemotherapy consisting of either a standard dose of 25 to 30 minutes o...
Participation in an exercise trial is a major commitment for cancer survivors, but few exercise trials have evaluated patient satisfaction with trial participation.
To examine patient satisfaction with participation in the Healthy Exercise for Lymphoma Patients (HELP) Trial and to explore possible determinants.
The HELP Trial randomized 122 lymphom...
Background: Physical activity (PA) correlates may vary across cancer survivor groups but few studies have directly compared cancer sites. The purpose of this study was to compare the medical, demographic and social cognitive correlates of PA in breast (BC), prostate (PC) and colorectal (CRC) cancer survivors. Methods: A stratified random sample of...
Patients with lymphoma experience sleep problems that may be managed with aerobic exercise but no previous study has examined this issue.
We randomized 122 patients with lymphoma to usual care (n = 62) or 12 weeks of supervised aerobic exercise training (AET; n = 60). Our primary sleep endpoint was global sleep quality assessed by the Pittsburgh Sl...
The purpose of this study was to examine physical activity counseling and program preferences in a sample of adults with type 2 diabetes. Specifically, the objectives were to determine physical activity preferences (objective 1), and whether there were any significant differences between age and/or sex groups for these preferences (objective 1a). A...
Purpose: The overall study purpose was to examine physical activity (PA) preferences amongst a national sample of adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Specifically, the research examined demographic, cognitive and behavioural differences of PA preferences in this population. Design: A cross-sectional national self-complete survey was conducted throug...
Questions
Question (1)
When scoring and cleaning long form IPAQ data, do you truncate all variables to the stipulated 180 minutes? Or just leisure time variables? The guide is not quite clear.
Projects
Projects (8)
Work related to my Career Development Research Fellowship with Hull York Medical School, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research
1. Develop an innovative online platform capable of providing tailored exercise videos and written advice to men with metastatic prostate cancer.
2. Optimize the intervention using an adaptive design process to enhance engagement and efficacy.
2. Evaluate the optimized intervention in an RCT to explore the magnitude of intervention effects on physical activity behaviour change and quality of life.