How social conditions and exercise affect aging after cancer
Exploring Cumulative Social Determinants Burden, Cancer, and Accelerated Aging: The Role of Physical Activity as a Moderator
This project looks at whether physical activity can reduce faster aging in adults who have had cancer and who face social or economic disadvantages.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Storrs NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Storrs-Mansfield, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238909 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers will combine medical records and participant data to compare people who had cancer with similar people who did not, focusing on social factors like housing, income, and neighborhood. They will use information about physical activity, cancer treatment, and markers of biological aging to see how these pieces fit together. The team will draw on large participant resources such as the All of Us program and clinical data to build a case-control cohort. The goal is to spot where exercise might protect against or lessen accelerated aging linked to both cancer treatment and social disadvantage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults (21+) who have had cancer and can provide medical history, information about their social and living conditions, and details about their physical activity.
Not a fit: People without a cancer history, children, or those unable or unwilling to share social, activity, or medical information are unlikely to be included or to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to exercise-based strategies to lower premature aging and improve long-term health for socially disadvantaged cancer survivors.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research in non-cancer groups shows physical activity can lower age-related inflammation and aging markers, but applying this to social-disadvantage-driven accelerated aging after cancer is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Storrs-Mansfield, United States
- University of Connecticut Storrs — Storrs-Mansfield, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bellizzi, Keith M — University of Connecticut Storrs
- Study coordinator: Bellizzi, Keith M
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 below.