A brave survivor's mission: empowering patients through prehabilitation
Imagine facing cancer and feeling powerless, but what if there was a way to regain control?
Jodie Collins, a bowel cancer survivor, is on a mission to develop a personalized prehabilitation program. Her goal? To enhance the lives and treatment outcomes of fellow patients.
Jodie's journey began in 2020, when, at just 44 years old, she was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer. She recalls the anxiety and helplessness that often accompany long waits for diagnosis and treatment. "When you're facing cancer, it's terrifying. You feel like you've lost all control, waiting for tests, specialists, and the next step. But there are things within your control, like exercise and nutrition."
With a master's degree in sport and exercise science, Jodie's expertise lies in increasing muscle mass in pre-frail elderly individuals. Her background in community education and her role as deputy chair of the Australasian Gastrointestinal Trials Group advisory panel, which aims to make cancer research more accessible to patients, make her uniquely qualified for this endeavor.
"I realized there was a significant gap, not just in research, but also in the services provided for prehabilitation in Aotearoa."
Thanks to a scholarship from the Cancer Society, Jodie will begin her PhD at Auckland University next year. She plans to collaborate closely with patients, their families, and healthcare services to create a tailored program. This program will focus on exercise, healthy eating, and mental well-being, empowering patients to feel stronger and recover better from surgery and treatment.
"It's about providing a comprehensive service that gives patients a sense of control and hope. It's a way to embrace a holistic approach to their journey."
Jodie's personal connection to her research subject runs deep. Before her own diagnosis, her father and uncle both battled colorectal cancer. Her uncle, diagnosed in his 30s, was successfully treated, but her father, in his 70s, had only eight months from diagnosis to live.
"That family history motivated me to seek medical advice when I experienced non-specific symptoms."
A colonoscopy revealed a large mass in her bowel, and the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. It later appeared in one of her lungs, requiring surgery. However, her most recent scan was clear, the first in five years, a truly exciting development.
This milestone has given Jodie the space to dedicate herself fully to her research project. "Now, I can think about the future. Before, I was hesitant to start something because I wasn't sure I'd be able to see it through. It may sound morbid, but that was my mindset."
Jodie, who resides in Taupiri, rural Waikato, has always been drawn to underserved communities, including rural populations. "I want to create something that works for people where they are, that's accessible and beneficial."
The Cancer Society's National Research Grants Programme has invested over $50 million into cancer research over the past decade. The 2025 round includes awards totaling over $1 million, funding post-doctoral fellowships, project grants, and Jodie Collins' PhD scholarship.
Christelle Jolly, Director of Research and Innovation at the Cancer Society, emphasizes the fund's role in supporting the cancer research workforce. "Our support for post-doctoral fellowships has propelled researchers' careers and enabled significant progress in various fields. We hope this new funding will continue building on that momentum."
Dr. Judy Ann Cocadiz from the University of Otago has received a post-doctoral fellowship to develop a small device to capture and analyze tiny DNA pieces in the bloodstream for cancer detection. Dr. Yue Wang from the University of Auckland was awarded a fellowship to investigate whether blocking growth hormone could enhance current melanoma treatments.
Associate Professor Stephen Jamieson, a cancer pharmacologist at the University of Auckland, received a grant to develop new treatments for melanomas caused by the NRAS gene mutation, found in up to 20% of melanomas. Dr. Andrea Teng, a public health physician and senior research fellow at the University of Otago, Wellington, and her team will explore the efficiency of treatment approaches for the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, linked to 90% of stomach cancer cases.
This research highlights the dedication and innovation driving cancer research and treatment advancements. It's an inspiring journey, and we invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. How do you think these initiatives can impact cancer patients' lives? What other innovative approaches would you like to see explored?
