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Thriving After Cancer Team
Thriving After Cancer Team
We identify and implement effective and scalable strategies to support cancer survivors and their loved ones across the cancer continuum.
Cancer represents a growing public health challenge, with about 2 million people diagnosed each year in the US. There are over 18 million cancer survivors in the US today, and that number is projected to grow to 26 million by 2040. These numbers highlight the significant impact of cancer on the population.
We conduct innovative qualitative and quantitative research aimed at developing evidence-based interventions to enhance communication, coping strategies, healthcare experiences, and overall quality of life for cancer survivors, their partners, and their broader support networks.
Read more about our active projects, focused on improving cancer-related care and services to reduce distress and improve quality of life in cancer survivorship.
REsearch for Cancer Health And ReGional Equity
RECHARGE advances community-driven solutions to improve cancer health outcomes across Oregon, focusing on regions with the highest cancer burden. Funding: Oregon State University Foundation, Office for Research Advancement
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Opening the Conversation
Opening the Conversation is a randomized controlled trial comparing two couple-based interventions designed to reduce distress among young adult breast or gynecologic cancer survivors and their partners. Funding: American Cancer Society.
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Thriving Together
Thriving Together is a community-engaged study designed to voice LGBTQ+ people’s experiences with cancer-related health care and to learn about what can be done to improve cancer health outcomes. Funding: College of Health and the National Cancer Institute.
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Mindful After Cancer
Mindful After Cancer is a feasibility study of the Mindful After Cancer intervention, which provides education, mindfulness training, and peer support for breast and gynecologic cancer survivors with sexual concerns. Funding: National Cancer Institute.
Updates and news
The study of 1,500+ adults ages 30-70 found that those in the upper 25% of social media usage frequency were more than twice as likely to experience loneliness.
Researchers led by Jessica Gorman are creating inclusive cancer care programs that address barriers faced by LGBTQ+ survivors, young adults, and underserved communities to improve outcomes for all.
Associate Professor Jessica Gorman's inclusive cancer care research was featured in the Office of Institutional Diversity's 2025 State of Inclusive Excellence at Oregon State.
Recent publications
2026
(2026) Impact of a Reproductive Health Survivorship Care Plan on Fertility, Pregnancy Concerns, and Accessing Reproductive Healthcare Among Young Nulliparous Breast Cancer Survivors Cancer Reports 9(1)
2025
(2025) Psychometric properties of The Self-Efficacy to Communicate about Sex and Intimacy (SECSI) Scale among patients in active treatment Journal of Psychosocial Oncology
(2025) Co-creating gender affirming survey questions: A participatory qualitative study Patient Education and Counseling 143
(2025) Time and Frequency of Social Media Use and Loneliness Among U.S. Adults International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 22(10)