Dr. Mackey is part of a new research team funded by the BC Women’s Health Research Institute to study the feasibility of delivering a supervised, virtual physical activity program called “Be Balanced.” It aims to improve mobility, balance, muscle strength, and fitness in individuals living with ovarian cancer.

Such a program may be an important avenue for reducing risk of falls and fall-related injuries in this population, which appears to be at greater risk of injurious falls than their peers without ovarian cancer. Virtual delivery may also significantly reduce barriers to access of physical activity, especially among patients living outside major urban centres.

The research team is led by Dr. Kristin Campbell (UBC PT) and also includes Dr. Anna Tinker (BC Cancer), Dr. Gillian Hanley (UBC), Cheri Van Patten (BC Cancer), Dr. Iris Lesser (UFV), and Dr. Linda Trihn (UofT).