Has Cancer Impacted You In The Workplace?

work after cancer

Have you changed careers or exited the workforce since your diagnosis?  Did you want to but were unable?

A new study is currently seeking participants to help uncover why 33% of working aged cancer survivors exit the workforce within 5 years of diagnosis and why others, who remained in the workforce, have changed careers. Although 89% of working‐aged cancer survivors are back in the workforce 2 years after their diagnosis, at the 5 year mark, only 67% of working‐aged cancer survivors remain in the workforce. This number does not account for those who have changed careers.

Our end goal is to develop best practices for employers so they may better assist their employees impacted by cancer both during and post‐treatment.

To participate in a short online survey, follow this link or call (406.994.6198) or email (Robyn.Chupka@montana.edu) for an electronic link.

Please feel free to contact Robyn with any questions or for more information.

Research Study Recruiting Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer

childhood cancer late effects study

Are you a young adult survivor of childhood cancer?  Have you experienced any late effects?  Then this is the research study for you!

Researchers, Kristen Trost, BSW, MSS, Ph.D. candidate (older sibling of a childhood cancer patient and social worker) Dr. Benjamin, Dr. Haney (previous childhood cancer nurse) and Dr. Hoch, of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA are interested in understanding why survivors of childhood cancer chose to (or not to) participate in screening for late effects, either going to a specific late effects clinic or working with a primary care physician. We would like for 250 or more childhood cancer survivors who are between the ages of 18-29, who are at least 5 years post treatment to complete a 10 minute, anonymous, online, survey about what influences their decisions.

Survivors have the option to participate in a phone call to discuss in more detail their thoughts on late effects and screening. Responses from the online survey will not be linked to the responses from the phone interview. Survivors do not have to participate in late effects screening to participate in the survey as we want to hear from everyone. From the results of the study, we hope to get a better understanding of what influences a survivors decision to go or not to go to late effects clinics or screening appointments, and use that information to better serve the survivor.

Please click the link to give them your thoughts.

STARTRK2 Ignyta Clinical Trial!

Ignyta clinical trial

Lacuna Loft believes strongly in helping young adult cancer patients have better access to clinical trials and studies.  Young Adult cancer patients are often underrepresented in clinical trials which is one of the facts researchers point to when citing that adolescent and young adult cancer patients haven’t experienced an increase in survival rates since the 70s, unlike both the younger and older cancer patient populations.  Clinical trials help find cures and we love sharing them with you.

We’ve shared about lots of different studies recently.  Check them out here if you haven’t already!

Today we’re talking about a trial that Igynta is running.  From Ignyta:

We’re writing to share information about the STARTRK-2 clinical trial (sponsored by Ignyta) that is currently recruiting patients across the country who have solid tumors harboring NTRK, ROS1, or ALK fusions.  Fusions are a certain type of DNA defect that have been reported to be oncogenic, meaning they could be a cause of your cancer.  By performing molecular testing on a piece of your tumor tissue, it may determine if your cancer has one of these fusions.

Ignyta can provide no-cost molecular testing to see if you may qualify for the trial.  In most cases, this test can be performed on a tumor sample that was previously obtained via biopsy and stored, avoiding the need for a new biopsy.

Eligible patients enrolled into the trial will receive a new investigational drug called entrectinib.  Entrectinib has shown preliminary antitumor activity in many different types of cancers.  Click here to learn more about a recent update from our Phase 1 study.

Please speak with your doctor to determine if molecular testing is right for you.  You may also contact Ignyta at 1.844.STARTRK or via email at STARTRKtrials@ignyta.com to learn more about the trial and to find a participating study center near you.

Interested in other studies?  Check out more information we’ve shared recently here.

Research Study On How People Cope With Cancer

cancer coping study

Interested in helping researchers learn how people cope with cancer?  Researchers out of Adelphi University are interested in hearing the voices of cancer survivors, asking a series of questions regarding your coping strategies and psychological functioning after cancer diagnosis, for a study entitled, “Expectations for Fighting Spirit in Cancer Patients: Analysis of the Relationships between Interpersonal Congruency and Mental Health Functioning.”

More about the study:  You will qualify for the study if you are 18 years old or older and have been diagnosed with any type of cancer – excluding brain cancer – at least one month prior to participation in the study. The entire study will take about 20 minutes to complete. If you are uncomfortable at any time, you are welcome to stop answering the questions.

You can use the following link to access the study.

The research team would like to thank you for considering your participation and to let you know the study is confidential.  Please feel free to send this study to others who may qualify.

National Study Is Looking For Male Young Adult Cancer Survivors

young men cancer survivors study

Studies that focus on young adult cancer survivors are few and far between.  Today though, we’re announcing one focused on young adult men who have had cancer.  They are asking questions like “What is it like to have cancer as a young man?” and “How has cancer affected your intimate relationships?”

From the study information:

Young men who have had cancer are being asked to share how they feel about their intimate relationships before and after their cancer experience. We would like to talk to young men who live anywhere in Canada, are at least 19 years of age, and were diagnosed with cancer when aged 15-29 years. Both young men with and without partners are invited to participate in the study.”

To participate in the study or for more information, please contact:

Katherine Holloway
Faculty of Nursing, University of New Brunswick (Fredericton)
Telephone: 506-447-3077
Email: cancerresearch@unb.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/YoungMenCancerTreatmentandIntimacy/