The Decision Support in Cancer Control (DSC2) research program focuses on understanding the diverse and multiple decisions related to risk of breast or ovarian cancer that are faced by individuals and families, and developing and testing decision support interventions to help respond to and manage that risk.
Dr. Ropka is conducting a qualitative study to describe decision-making needs and family communication about hereditary cancer risk in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. The longitudinal approach of this study helps clarify the unfolding experiences of individuals and families dealing with HBOC risk-related decisions by describing what happens in the family. She is working with Mary Daly, MD, PhD, in the Philadelphia Breast Cancer Family Registry, focusing on developing opportunities to study cancer risk communication and patient decision support.
In addition, Dr. Ropka is collaborating with Suzanne Miller, PhD, in the Intervention Development and Measurement Core (IDMC) of the CIS Research Consortium (CISRC), which serves as a centralized resource to assist in the design, production, and evaluation of multi-media interventions. Three projects will test different delivery methods of preparatory guidance for decision making regarding breast cancer treatment or prostate cancer treatment, as well as adaptation after completing breast cancer treatment.
Patricia Hollen, PhD, RN (University of Virginia), and Dr. Ropka are Co-PIs for a pilot study to test a theory-based decision aid for patients with breast cancer and their support person to help facilitate informed decisions about treatment that affect quality of life. The decision aid was feasible for use in a Breast Clinic (< 3 minutes needed by most to learn; 82% indicated that it was easy to use) and the overall value was rated highly by 91% of the patients (enhanced the clinic visit; would recommend to others).