Cancer Council Queensland welcomes Professor Sandi Hayes as new Director of Research

Cancer Council Queensland is excited to welcome our Viertel Cancer Research Centre’s new Director of Research, Professor Sandi Hayes. With over two decades of experience in cancer survivorship epidemiology and exercise oncology science, Sandi is determined to improve the lives of those diagnosed with cancer. We sat down with Sandi to talk about her passion for translating cancer research into better patient outcomes.

What was your inspiration for working in the cancer research sphere?
While I was completing my exercise science degree, the relationship between exercise and cardiac disease was becoming more and more well understood. I had a family history of cancer and therefore didn’t fear talking about it or looking into it. So, I started looking at what we knew about the role of physical activity in cancer prevention and recovery and quickly realised there were major gaps in the evidence base. I thought, if it makes sense to integrate exercise post-cardiac disease, surely it makes sense to integrate it post-cancer. This thought opened the door to all that has followed.

What drew you to Cancer Council Queensland?
A big driver for bringing my research to Cancer Council Queensland’s existing program of research is that it made sense. My research, mission and values are completely aligned with Cancer Council Queensland’s strategy and the existing Viertel Cancer Research Program. Importantly though, I recognise that research alone rarely creates meaningful impact; instead, it requires all relevant parties that will be influenced by change to work together to ensure that what we learn in research holds true when rolled out in the real world. Cancer Council Queensland brings all those relevant ‘stakeholders’ together.

“My research is completely focused on improving health outcomes for people with cancer. Every bit of research that I’m involved with must have that remit.“

When you look at your career so far, what are you most proud of?

There is much to be proud of. From the small moments, like hearing a participant share how being part of a study helped them during their cancer journey, to the more measurable achievements, such as reaching our recruitment target of 500 women for the ECHO clinical trial. This is a significant accomplishment for clinical trials in general, but achieving this in an exercise trial involving people diagnosed with a less common and understudied cancer makes it even more special.

On a broader scale, I am proud of my contributions to the wider field of research. When I began my research career, the common advice given to someone diagnosed with cancer was to ‘rest and take it easy’. Over the past 20+ years, consistent and convincing evidence has shown the opposite to be true – engaging in regular physical activity during and after cancer treatment is associated with reduced treatment-related morbidity, better physical function, improved quality of life, and potentially improved survival. The challenge now is to determine how best to get people with cancer active and keep them active.

Learn more about Sandi’s latest research in Exercise during Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer (ECHO).