Research Project Description:

Breast cancer (BC) survival rates are increasing globally; thereby Quality of Life (QoL) is pivotal for Breast Cancer Survivors (BCS). Adherence to the nine World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) recommendations which mainly focus on healthy eating and physical activity has a positive impact on long-term health outcomes for BCS. In line with the WCRF/AICR recommendations, the field of Lifestyle Medicine (LM) addresses six lifestyle pillars: healthy eating, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, positive social connection and avoiding risky substances.

The study hypothesis is that adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations/LM pillars is associated with better QoL and improved health outcomes in BCS. The study objectives are:

(1) To investigate the association between adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations/LM pillars and (a) QoL and (b) Biological Health Status Indicators (BHSI) in BCS in Cyprus and

(2) To conduct a scoping literature review on: a) barriers, facilitators and health literacy gaps that deter/facilitate BCS in adopting healthy lifestyle habits, and b) effective behaviour change lifestyle interventions.

Principal Investigator(s) and Coordinating Institution(s):

  • Prof Constantina Constantinou, University of Nicosia Medical School, Cyprus

Researchers at University of Nicosia Medical School:

  • Dr Konstantinos Koshiaris
  • Dr Annalisa Quattrocchi
  • Dr Eleni Tolma
  • Dr Christiana Demetriou
  • Dr Maria Cecilia Mosquera

Other Participating Institution(s) and researches:

  • Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre
    • Dr Yiola Marcou
    • Dr Elisavet Papageorgiou
  • Cyprus University of Technology
    • Dr Ourania Kolokotroni

Research Project Acronym: HEROES

Funding Institution: University of Nicosia Medical School

Funding Programme: 2021 Call of the University of Nicosia Medical School Research Seed Fund

Start and End Dates: November 2021 – December 2026

Related Publications:

Shi, A., Fong K.H.A., Rodomar, C., Demetriou, C., Kolokotroni, A., Philippou, E., Mosquera M.A., Papageorgiou, E., Critselis, E., Marcou, Y. Constantinou, C. and Quattrochi, A. (2023). Barriers and facilitators for adopting healthy lifestyles in breast cancer survivors: a scoping review protocol. JBI Evidence Synthesis 21(11), 2218-2226.