Publications by authors named "Lisa Gudenkauf"

Purpose: To characterize dietary patterns and examine associations with cross-sectional and longitudinal changes in quality of life (QOL) over approximately one year after colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis.

Methods: The ColoCare Study is an international, multi-center, prospective cohort study of newly diagnosed CRC survivors of any stage. A subset of participants with CRC in the United States completed patient-reported outcome measures at 6- and 12-months post-enrollment, including the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30).

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Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is common and distressing for young adult (YA) cancer survivors; however, subjective CRCI is often attributed to psychological distress rather than true cognitive change. Thus, we aimed to generate hypotheses regarding potential common biobehavioral mechanisms of CRCI and psychological distress. We conducted semi-structured interviews with YA cancer survivors in peak years for frontal neurocognitive development (ages 18-30), and we asked them to describe their experiences with cognitive and mental health changes during and after treatment for their cancer.

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Article Synopsis
  • * CRCI is linked to complex biological changes in the brain, as well as factors like inflammation and gut microbiome shifts, some of which may be addressed through dietary changes.
  • * The MIND diet shows promise in improving cognitive function for aging populations, but research specifically focusing on its effects for cancer survivors with CRCI is currently lacking.
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  • A new study is testing a five-session phone-based peer support program called STEPP, aimed at helping patients with blood cancers undergoing stem cell transplantation improve their quality of life and reduce psychological distress.
  • The pilot trial will involve 90 patients, comparing those who receive the STEPP intervention to those who receive standard care, with goals for high enrollment and session completion rates.
  • The study will assess how well the intervention is received and its initial impact on patient-reported outcomes like anxiety and quality of life, paving the way for a larger clinical trial in the future.
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  • - The study investigates how positive psychological well-being (PPWB) relates to mood and quality of life in people who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), using data from 158 recipients.
  • - Results indicate that older age, greater social support, and certain health conditions correspond with higher PPWB levels, which are linked to improved quality of life and reduced symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
  • - The researchers suggest that future studies should explore these associations over time to better understand how PPWB affects HSCT recovery and to develop targeted interventions for improving patient outcomes.
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  • * Patients reported improvements in physical functioning and fatigue within a year post-treatment, but indicators of pain, anxiety, and depression remained stable or worsened in those with active disease.
  • * While overall toxicity decreased for the first 180 days, it increased again by day 360; prior therapies influenced worsening pain and anxiety in patients with extensive treatment histories.
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Background: Social isolation and social connectedness are health determinants and aspects of social well-being with strong associations with psychological distress. This study evaluated relationships among social isolation, social connectedness, and psychological distress (i.e.

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The population of young adults (YAs) aged 18-39 living with advanced cancer is growing and faces a compounded set of challenges at the intersection of age and disease. Despite these substantial challenges, behavioral interventions tailored to YAs living with advanced cancer remain scarce. This commentary aims to (1) discuss the unmet psychological, social, and behavioral needs of YAs living with advanced cancer; (2) highlight the paucity of behavioral interventions tailored to this growing population; (3) offer recommendations for the development of behavioral interventions targeting the unique needs of YAs living with advanced cancer; and (4) describe potential far-reaching public health benefits of these targeted behavioral interventions.

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Androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) is well established as the standard of care in metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) management; however, ADT has significant adverse effects (AEs) that must be addressed. This review aims to highlight opportunities to mitigate AEs of ADT and explore alternatives in PCa management. Specifically, we discuss behavioral and pharmacologic strategies for mitigating ADT AEs as well as ADT-sparing approaches for hormone-sensitive and castration-resistant PCa.

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Objective: There is a dearth of literature describing young adult (YA) cancer survivors' experiences with cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). We aimed to elucidate CRCI among YA cancer survivors and identify potentially modifiable risk factors.

Methods: We conducted individual qualitative interviews with YA cancer survivors aged 18-30 years at study enrollment and used applied thematic analysis to identify themes across three topics (i.

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Purpose: This study aimed to test the feasibility and acceptability of a digital health promotion intervention for family caregivers of patients with advanced colorectal cancer and explore the intervention's preliminary efficacy for mitigating the impact of caregiving on health and well-being.

Methods: We conducted a single-arm pilot feasibility trial of C-PRIME (Caregiver Protocol for Remotely Improving, Monitoring, and Extending Quality of Life), an 8-week digital health-promotion behavioral intervention involving monitoring and visualizing health-promoting behaviors (e.g.

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In this minireview, we examine the impacts of hurricanes and other extreme weather events on cancer survivors, focusing on structural and social determinants of health. We briefly explore influences on biological, psychosocial, and behavioral outcomes and discuss risk and resilience factors in cancer survivorship during and after hurricanes. Our goal is to inform future directions for research that can identify areas in which we can most efficiently improve cancer outcomes and inform changes in health systems, clinical practice, and public health policies.

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Objective: Associations between positive psychological well-being (PPWB) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs, e.g., quality of life [QOL]) have yet to be studied extensively in patients with hematologic malignancies who are allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) survivors, despite substantial evidence that PPWB impacts PROs of other medical populations.

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Caregivers of patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) play a crucial role in supporting their loved ones through physical, emotional, and practical challenges. This role has been associated with high levels of psychological distress and low levels of positive psychological well-being (PPWB). Positive psychology interventions for caregivers in other disease groups (eg, breast cancer) have been associated with improved outcomes.

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Background: Risk factors for cancer-related fatigue are understudied in colorectal cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to address this critical gap in the literature by (a) describing changes in colorectal cancer-related fatigue and health behavior (physical activity, sleep problems) and (b) examining if physical activity and sleep problems predict fatigue trajectories from baseline (approximately at the time of diagnosis), to 6- and 12 months after enrollment.

Methods: Patients participating in the international ColoCare Study completed self-report measures at baseline (approximately time of diagnosis), 6-, and 12 months assessing physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and fatigue and sleep using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ-C30).

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Idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel) was the first FDA-approved chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients. This was the first study to evaluate patient-reported outcomes (PROs) among RRMM patients receiving ide-cel in standard of care (SOC). We prospectively assessed health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and symptoms from pre-infusion (baseline) through day (D)90 post-infusion.

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Objective: The purpose of this qualitative study was to compare the lived experiences among extended (one year or less post-treatment) and long-term (three years or more post-treatment) young adult (YA) cancer survivors (ages 18-39 years old).

Methods: Two trained researchers conducted semi-structured interviews inquiring about the overall lived experience of = 24 YA cancer survivors ( = 12 extended and = 12 long-term). The same two researchers independently completed line-by-line coding and thematic content analysis.

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Background: Although patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) experience low levels of positive psychological well-being (PPWB), interventions that specifically boost PPWB in this population are lacking.

Objective: To describe the methods of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a positive psychology intervention (PATH) tailored to the unique needs of HSCT survivors and aimed to decrease anxiety and depression symptoms and boost quality of life (QOL).

Methods: We will conduct a single-institution RCT of a novel nine-week phone-delivered manualized positive psychology intervention compared to usual transplant care in 70 HSCT survivors.

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Background: Cancer distress management is an evidence-based component of comprehensive cancer care. Group-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for cancer distress (CBT-C) is the first distress treatment associated with replicated survival advantages in randomized clinical trials. Despite research supporting patient satisfaction, improved outcomes, and reduced costs, CBT-C has not been tested sufficiently within billable clinical settings, profoundly reducing patient access to best-evidence care.

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Background: Prostate cancer affects African American men disproportionately compared with men of other racial/ethnic groups. To identify biological bases for this health disparity, we sought to create a state-wide biobank of African American prostate cancer survivors in Florida.

Methods: African American men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2013 and 2017 and living in Florida at diagnosis were identified through the State of Florida's cancer registry.

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The field of radionuclide therapy (RNT) for prostate cancer (PC) is growing rapidly, with recent Food and Drug Administration approval of the first Lu-PSMA ligand. We aimed to develop the first patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure for PC patients receiving RNT. We identified relevant symptoms and toxicities by reviewing published trials and interviews with PC patients receiving RNT ( = 29), caregivers ( = 14), and clinicians ( = 11).

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Purpose: This study aimed to (1) develop TOGETHER-YA, an e-Health-delivered and group-based health-related quality of life (HRQOL) intervention for young adult (YA) cancer survivors aged 18-39 (Part 1), and (2) determine its initial feasibility and acceptability in a single-arm pilot trial (Part 2).

Methods: TOGETHER-YA is a manualized, 10-week intervention for YA survivors that includes elements of relaxation training, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and health education. In Part 1, content was adapted from existing evidence-based interventions with feedback from YAs (N = 22) in four iterative focus groups.

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Article Synopsis
  • Higher levels of inflammation and psychological distress in breast cancer patients are linked to poorer health outcomes, with cortisol levels as a key stress indicator and s100A8/A9 as a new biological marker related to cancer.
  • Participants (N = 183) provided blood samples and completed questionnaires about their distress, with analyses adjusting for various factors like age and cancer stage.
  • Results showed that increased cortisol was associated with higher s100A8/A9 levels and greater cancer-related distress, suggesting a connection between stress responses and inflammation that could impact cancer progression.
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Background: Clinicians must closely monitor patients for toxicities after chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T). Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) (e.g.

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Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is considered one of the most frequent and distressing symptoms for cancer survivors. Despite its high prevalence, factors that predispose, precipitate, and perpetuate CRF are poorly understood. Emerging research focuses on cancer and treatment-related nutritional complications, changes in body composition, and nutritional deficiencies that can compound CRF.

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