Sarah Bell

My scientific goal is to better understand the impact of cancer and its treatments on patients’ physical function and mobility. I am a clinical track Assistant Professor of Gynecologic Oncology at University of Michigan where I care for cancer patients and cancer survivors who have experienced chemotherapy-induced sensorimotor dysfunction that affects their gait, balance, and functional status. I have a longstanding interest in the impact of cancer-directed therapy on functional status and quality of life. In 2020, I was first author on a manuscript reviewing aromatase inhibitor use, side effects, and discontinuation rates in gynecologic oncology patients. Through this retrospective review, I realized there were large numbers of gynecologic oncology patients suffering through significant side effects due to their desire to continue with cancer-directed treatment. In 2022, I was part of a team that found that chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is associated with increased risk of depression, anxiety, and bone fractures. Soon after this publication, our team performed a retrospective study that found unipedal stance time was associated with outcomes in older chemotherapy-treated cancer survivors and a secondary analysis showing that intraindividual variability in simple reaction time was associated with balance and falls in older cancer survivors. In addition to the aforementioned projects, I have participated in several symptom and quality of life focused research projects. I am currently analyzing qualitative interviews from 15 gynecologic oncology patients with significant mobility changes due to cytotoxic chemotherapy. To date, there are no effective disease-modifying treatments for CIPN or rehabilitation interventions to improve mobility. My career goals are to determine a feasible and acceptable method of assessing frailty in clinic and to develop interventions to improve functional status in patients with treatment-related impairments.