Anna Hawkes

Senior Research Fellow, Viertel Centre for Research in Cancer Control

Research Interests:

I have a background in public health, and have been researching and working in chronic disease prevention and management for many years for non-government, government and academic organisations. I currently lead the Lifestyle and Cancer Research Program at the Viertel Centre for Research in Cancer Control at Cancer Council Queensland. I collaborate on a number of research projects within the Cancer Council and with external international research organisations. I'm interested in translational research for disadvantaged groups, including those disadvantaged by distance or place of residence.

Current research projects:

I am particularly interested in developing innovative models of service delivery, including telephone and internet-based programs to support those affected by cancer. I am currently trialling a novel telephone-delivered lifestyle support program for colorectal or bowel cancer survivors, called 'CanChange' in collaboration with an expert team of Cancer Council Queensland and national and international investigators. CanChange supports bowel cancer survivors to improve their lifestyle behaviours. Importantly, CanChange has the potential to improve the management of treatment side-effects, improve quality of life and physical and emotional well-being, reduce the risk of the cancer recurring or other serious diseases, and potentially improve survival for those diagnosed with bowel cancer.

I'm also collaborating on several other projects including work to improve supportive care for Indigenous cancer patients, and for those affected by brain tumours, as well as a program to improve the sun safety behaviour of young Queenslanders.

Future work:

We know that a healthy lifestyle can prevent over one third of the most common cancers, and can improve quality of life and potentially extend survival for cancer survivors. For this reason, I am committed to expanding Cancer Council Queensland's Lifestyle and Cancer Research Program to improve our understanding of the association between lifestyle behaviours and cancer. I am also very privileged to work for an organisation that includes expert community services staff to inform the future direction of our research, and ensure that our research meets the needs of the Queensland community. I am also very grateful for the generous input and guidance from Cancer Council volunteers and the Brisbane Bowel Cancer Support Group.