Cancer Survivorship

Observational data form the basis for studying the impact of a cancer diagnosis and of cancer treatment on the quality of life, daily functioning, and prognosis of cancer survivors. There is strong focus on how lifestyle behavior (diet, physical activity, and sedentary behavior) and related factors such as body composition affect outcomes after cancer diagnosis and treatment. In addition, molecular and genetic mechanisms are investigated using state-of-the-art analysis techniques to assess biological pathways involved in effects of lifestyle and related factors. The main cohort within this research theme is the Energy for life after ColoRectal cancer (EnCoRe) study.    

The EnCoRe study, initiated in 2012, consists of a prospective cohort study in newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients followed up repeatedly from diagnosis up to 5 years post-treatment. Lifestyle habits and related factors are extensively measured, patient-reported outcomes are assessed by questionnaires, and blood and saliva samples are collected for biomarker analyses. Survival and recurrence data are obtained by record linkage with the Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organization. The overall objective of the EnCoRe study is to investigate how lifestyle factors are related to the prognosis, symptoms, quality of life, and functioning of survivors of colorectal cancer, especially in the years after the end of cancer treatment and with a focus on underlying molecular mechanisms. EnCoRe also participates in (inter)national consortia, in which specific outcomes (e.g. recurrence, survival) are studied using pooled data from several colorectal cancer survivor cohorts.