Research
Thriving After Cancer Team
Cancer and cancer treatments have short- and long-term effects on quality of life and multiple dimensions of health. These include physical issues like fatigue, infertility, and the risk of recurrence, as well as emotional and psychological struggles such as anxiety, depression, and the fear of cancer returning.
Not everyone has access to the care and support they need after cancer. This can vary by income, geographic location, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, and other factors.
We identify and evaluate ways to reduce cancer-related distress, including distress related to changes in fertility, sexual function, and relationships after cancer.
We explore ways that social and health care contexts affect cancer care experiences and outcomes.
We develop, implement, and test strategies to support equitable access to care and support for everyone who needs it.
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.
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.
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.