Energy balance and reproductive health after early-onset colorectal cancer
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11280264 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how physical activity and energy balance affect fertility in adults who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 50.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $518,470 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA308492-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11280264 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 18–49 diagnosed with colorectal cancer who are enrolled in the PREFACE study at Vanderbilt and able to participate in activity tracking.
✕Less likely to help
People outside the 18–49 age range or those not undergoing active treatment may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
Young adults (18–49) newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer who are receiving treatment are being followed to see how exercise and daily activity relate to their reproductive health. The study uses questionnaires and one week of activity tracking to understand fertility across the cancer care timeline, including diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Researchers will use the PREFACE cohort at Vanderbilt to collect data and connect energy balance with reproductive outcomes to guide future patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help clinicians advise young CRC patients on lifestyle choices to protect and improve fertility.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work supports links between physical activity and reproductive health in broader populations, but prospective data in early-onset CRC are limited and this study aims to fill that gap.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holowatyj, Andreana Natalie — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Holowatyj, Andreana Natalie
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.