Nancy Howe

Visiting Scholar/Faculty/Researcher

Health South, rm 325; MC3020 550 North Third Street PHOENIX, AZ 85004
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Student Information

Graduate Student
Nursing and Healthcare Innovation
Edson Col of Nurs & Hlth Innov

Education

Arizona State University: Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation.

In Fall 2019, I enter my 3rd year in the Edson College PhD program.

In Spring 2019, I received an Innovation Leadership Fund award.

C.E.S. University of Northern Colorado. 2012

Cancer Exercise Specialist. Rocky Mountain Cancer Rehabilitation Institute.

M.S. Arizona State University. 2005

Exercise and Wellness. 3.8 GPA.

Health Promotion Director. 2003

Cooper Institute, Dallas TX

B.A. University of California, Berkeley. 1976

Economics. Graduated with Honors.

B.S. University of California, Berkeley. 1976

Natural Resources. Graduated with High Honors.

Curriculum Vitae

Research Interests

Increasing the Diffusion of an Innovation: Exercise as a Therapeutic Modality for Cancer

A revolutionary innovation can occur within a context as familiar as a conversation, if the conversation has never happened before. Oncologist Dr. Donald Northfelt, Mayo Breast Clinic Arizona, and I envision just such an innovation: an initial conversation between oncologist and patient that sets in motion a path for every patient to explore with the oncology care team the use of exercise as a therapeutic modality for cancer.

  Why do we label this conversation an innovation? Because today, the conversation doesn’t happen. Despite two decades of research and hundreds of studies documenting the benefits of exercise, Fisher, Williams, Beeken, and Wardle (2015) report that only 28% of cancer patients in a study sample of about 15,000 recalled that someone on their oncologist care team initiated a discussion about physical activity.

  Exercise researchers, most notably Nadler et al. (2017) and Smith-Turchyn et al. (2016) identified four significant barriers faced by oncology team members: (1) not enough time; (2) limited expertise in exercise; (3) lack of exercise resources within their healthcare provider organization; and (4) lack of assurance that community-based exercise programs are safe and effective. We hypothesize that if members of the oncology team strongly recommended exercise to their patients, patients would remember the discussion, and as a consequence, exercise more than before.

  Both Northfelt and I believe in the fundamental truth that people talking to people is how change happens. Even more, oncology healthcare providers talking to other oncology healthcare providers is how the oncology Standard of Care moves forward. Creating a space for these conversations is the innovation we want to explore.

Publications

Academic Publications

1. Ginossar, T., Larkey, L., Howe, N., & Goel, N.

Coping with women’s cancer and perceived providers’ support: Does type of cancer make a difference?Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies. 2015: 5, 1; 41- 56.

2. Young, W.F., Montgomery D., Nycum, C., Burns-Martin, L., Buller, D.,

Howe, N. ed. Web-based technical assistance and training to promote tobacco control policy change. Health Promotion Practice Journal. Jan 2006.

3. Howe, N., Swan, P.,

Training obese clients: examining our assumptions.American College of Sports Medicine Health and Fitness Journal. Nov/Dec 2003.

General Interest Publications

4. Nancy Howe, Dec 2017

Managing Lymphedema Associated with Breast Cancer. Conquer Magazine.

5. Nancy Howe, April 2017.

Sex and Intimacy for Breast Cancer Survivors: During Treatment and Beyond. Conquer Magazine.

6. Nancy Howe, Dec 2016.

Confusion May Be the Biggest Obstacle to Exercise. Conquer Magazine.

7. Nancy Howe, Feb 12, 2016.

My Turn: Cancer Patients Must Demand Exercise. Arizona Republic Newspaper.

8. Nancy Howe, Northfelt, D. May/June 2015.

A Prescription For Exercise. Coping With Cancer Magazine.

9. Nancy Howe, Nov/Dec 2000.

I Built a Better Body After Cancer. Coping With Cancer Magazine.

10. Nancy Howe, July 2000.

Canswer, 2nd Edition. Varian Medical Systems. Palo Alto CA. (A 25-page book containing suggestions for coping with cancer treatment and recovery.)

11. Nancy Howe, May/June 2000.

Exercise and Cancer Rehabilitation. Oncology Issues.

12. Nancy Howe, June 1999.

Secret of My Success: Fighting Cancer in the Gym. Prevention Magazine.

Presentations

Cancer Education Presentations

2019 February 23: Mayo Clinic AZ, Living With & Overcoming My Cancer: A Mayo Clinic Symposium for Cancer Patients and Their Loved Ones. “Exercise to Enhance Strength & Healing.” Two sessions.

2017 January 27: Mayo Clinic AZ, Faculty. Clinical and Multidisciplinary Hematology and Oncology 2017. “Exercise as a Treatment for Breast Cancer.”

2017 January 21: Mayo Clinic AZ, 8th Annual Living with Cancer: A Mayo Clinic Symposium for Cancer Patients and Their Loved Ones. “Exercise to Enhance Recovery.”

2016 November 12: Mayo Clinic AZ, Faculty. Clinical and Multidisciplinary Breast Diseases 2016. “Exercise as a Treatment for Breast Cancer.”

2016 November 10: Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Support Group, Ironwood Cancer Center, Scottsdale AZ. “Overcoming Obstacles to Exercise.”

2016 October 26: Mayo Clinic AZ, Breast Cancer Support Group. Facilitator: Brenda L. Allen MSW LMSW OSW-C, Mayo Clinic AZ.

2016 October 21: Scottsdale Leadership. HonorHealth, Scottsdale AZ “Your Chair is Killing You: The Risks of Sedentary Behavior.”

2016 June 2: Mayo Clinic AZ, Phoenix Hospital Grand Rounds: “Cancer Awareness.”

2016 April 6: Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, Scottsdale AZ. “Mind, Body, and Spirit in Action, Moving into Health & Happiness.

2016 February 6: Cancer Support Community. Phoenix AZ “Strengthening Your Recovery.”

2016 January 17: Mayo Clinic AZ, 7th Annual Living with Cancer: A Mayo Clinic Symposium for Cancer Patients and Their Loved Ones. “Exercise to Enhance Recovery.”

2016 January 16: Mayo Clinic AZ, 7th Annual Living with Cancer: A Mayo Clinic Symposium for Cancer Patients and Their Loved Ones. Featured Speaker, Breast Cancer Break-out Session.

2016 January 9: Scottsdale Leadership. HonorHealth, Scottsdale AZ. “Advances in Cancer Research.”

2015 October 31: National Colon Cancer Alliance Annual Meeting. Phoenix, AZ “Exercise for an Enhanced Recovery.”

2015 September 26: Coalition of Blacks Against Breast Cancer. Phoenix AZ

“Annual Celebration.”

2015 September 19: Susan G. Komen Central and Northern Arizona Chapter. Phoenix AZ “Empowerment Symposium.”

2015 May 21: American Cancer Society, Cancer Support Community, and Mayo Clinic AZ. “American Cancer Society Mayo Clinic AZ Hope Lodge Series.”

2015 March 21: Arizona Myeloma Network. 9th Annual Living with Myeloma Conference. Scottsdale AZ. “Exercise for a Strong Recovery.”

2015 February 6: Phoenix Surgical Society 43rd Annual Phoenix Surgical Symposium. Scottsdale AZ. “Benefits of Exercise for Breast Cancer Survivors.”

2015 January 24: Mayo Clinic AZ, Faculty. Clinical and Multidisciplinary Hematology and Oncology 2017. “Benefits of Exercise for Breast Cancer Survivors.”

2015 January 11: Mayo Clinic AZ. 6th Annual Living with Cancer: A Mayo Clinic Symposium for Cancer Patients and Their Loved Ones. “Exercise for a Strong Recovery.”

2015 January 10: Mayo Clinic AZ. 6th Annual Living with Cancer: A Mayo Clinic Symposium for Cancer Patients and Their Loved Ones. Featured Speaker, Breast Cancer Break-out Session.

2009 September: The Wellness Community of Central Arizona and St. Joseph’s Hospital, Phoenix AZ. “Exercise Benefits for Cancer Survivors.”

2007 January: Cancer Workout Center Friday Night Cancer Fight, Phoenix AZ

Keynote Speaker.

2006 June: The Wellness Community of Central Arizona. Phoenix AZ. National Cancer Survivor Day. Keynote Speaker. “Hope and Recovery.”

2003 April: Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, Scottsdale Healthcare. Scottsdale AZ. Serenity in the Desert Retreat. “Muscle Strengthening for Cancer Survivors.”

2002 March: Scottsdale HealthCare Hospital Librarian Series, Scottsdale AZ. “Exercise and Cancer Survivorship.”

2001 August: National Cancer Survivor’s Speaker’s Bureau Event, co-sponsored by Phoenix Country Club and Xavier Highschool Mother/Daughter Association. “Building Strength, Building Character.”

2000 October: Televised interview with Lin Sue Cooney, “12 News,” Channel 12 News, Phoenix, AZ. Discussed the success and reprinting Canswer authored by N. Howe.

2000 January: Televised interview with Marty Velasco Hames, “Good Morning Arizona,” Channel 3 News, Phoenix, AZ. Announced publication Canswer, authored by N. Howe, and Howe’s win of the NPC, national, drug-free, bodybuilding competition as a 45-yr-old cancer survivor.

Industry Positions

2017 – date Arizona State University,

Edson College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation

Project Coordinator, Recovery and Rejuvenation Study

Supervisor, Dr. Linda Larkey. Responsible for tasks associated with intervention cohorts, coordination with community-based organizations, participant management, and data collection.

2009 – 2012 McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, 501(c)3

Project Coordinator and Office Manager. Scottsdale AZ

2009 Scottsdale Healthcare

Independent Contractor: Tai Chi Easy Certification Workshop.

2006 – 2008 University of Arizona, Arizona Cancer Center

Grant Project Manager for Dr. Linda Larkey. Responsible for management of qualitative and quantitative research data for grant: Women Coping with Cancer, 1-year. Responsible for administrative and research coordination for grant: Rejuvenating Movement for Breast Cancer Patients, 3-year. Contributed to peer-reviewed, refereed journal article and academic presentations.

2005 – 2008 Cancer Workout Center, Inc., 501(c)3

Director of Operations: Author and project manager for $18,000 grant from St. Luke’s Health Initiatives, Phoenix AZ. Established partnerships with Mountainside Fitness and Scottsdale Healthcare’s Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center.

2004 – 2005 Arizona State University, Exercise & Wellness MS Program

ASU Wellness Partner with Healthy Avondale (ADHS grant, $360,000).

2003 Cooper Institute, Dallas/Denver

Intern, Health Communications.

2002 Arizona State University, Exercise & Wellness MS Program

Instructor/Facilitator for ASU staff’s voluntary weight-management group.

Instructor for ASU EXW 105 (Weight training).

1999 – 2001 Phoenix Country Club

Personal trainer at Phoenix Country Club member fitness center.

1976 – 1999 Information Designer, Software Development

Companies included Informix Corporation, Legato Systems, Motorola Corporation

Environmental Economist

California Department of Justice, California Public Utilities Commission

Pro Bono

Founder, Strong Cancer Recovery

In 2013, I earned my Cancer Exercise Specialist certification at Univ of Northern Colorado, and from 2013 until now, I have worked with oncologist Dr. Donald Northfelt, Associate Director of the Mayo Breast Clinic Arizona. From 2013 through Feb 2017, Northfelt referred his patients to me for a free 90-minute, individualized consultation about the benefits of exercise during treatment and beyond. I provided this service without charge to 156 women on behalf of my nonprofit, Strong Cancer Recovery. In 2019 our collaboration continues in our project at Mayo Clinic, discussing with oncologists the barriers they experience when they consider providing an exercise recommendation to their patients.

Expertise Areas