Name: Bolette Skjødt Rafn
Program: PhD
Graduated: 2019
Thesis: “Surveillance and Rehabilitation for Breast Cancer-Related Upper-Body Issues”
How would you describe your research in the UBC Rehabilitation Sciences program?
My research projects focused on delivery of breast cancer rehabilitation to improve access and reach of programs to minimize health inequity. I developed online rehabilitation resources and self-management surveillance resources and tested the reliability, validity, and feasibility of these. Lastly, I explored the perspectives of current rehabilitation services (in 2017) across BC from the perspectives of patients and rehabilitation professionals. This resulted in a paper that strongly criticized current care and gave voice to shared concern among participants for the lack of integration of rehabilitation services into cancer care.
Where and what is your current position?
I am a researcher at the Danish Cancer Society National Cancer Survivorship and Late Effects Research Center which is affiliated with Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark. Here, I lead trials within early detection and management of late effects from cancer therapies (such as lymphedema or sarcopenia) and supervise MSc and PhD students.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I love spending time with my two kids and husband; we love to cook, play board games, play the piano, go traveling to the mountains both in the summer and winter. I also love doing CrossFit because of the variety of skills that are required from strength, endurance, mobility, gymnastics etc.
Congratulations Bolette on being our featured Alumni of the Month for December!