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Optimizing Cancer Prevention and Care Through the Application of the Psycho-Oncology Program

Sharon Manne, PhD, Director

The Psycho-Oncology Program's research focuses on evaluating methods of improving quality of life for cancer patients and improving acceptance of screening practices among cancer patients and their families. We are also interested in understanding the impact of cancer and cancer risk on patients and their families. In particular, we are interested in social-environmental influences that affect how individuals and their family members cope with cancer and cancer risk. Our primary goal is to improve quality of life for patients and their families, and to improve cancer screening participation among family members at risk. We have eight ongoing studies of cancer patients, individuals at risk for cancer, and their family members. Our studies focus on the following populations:

1. women undergoing treatment for early stage breast cancer and their partners;
2. siblings at increased risk for colon or rectal cancer due to a sibling diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer prior to age 61;
3. women diagnosed with ovarian cancer;
4. mothers of children undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT);
5. first-degree relatives of individuals with melanoma;
6. patients with colorectal cancer being offered Microsatellite Instability testing;
7. men diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer and their wives; and
8. individuals diagnosed with head and neck or lung cancers and their partners.