Here at Cactus Cancer Society, we’re always interested in amplifying the voices and experiences of young adults facing cancer, and making sure this population is represented in research. Click on the study titles below to learn more about each research opportunity and how you can use your story to help others!
Study Description
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Cancer Research Center for Health Equity is currently running a study to understand adolescents and young adults (AYA) cancer survivors’ experiences with a virtual physical activity and social-networking program. We would appreciate your help in expanding our understanding of the value of virtual physical activity platforms, and the role physical activity can play in supporting your health and well-being. If you are a cancer survivor between the ages of 18-39 who has completed active cancer treatment, we hope that you will consider participating.
Am I Eligible to Participate?
You are eligible for this study if:
- You are a cancer survivor between the ages of 18 and 39
- You were diagnosed with cancer at age 15 or older
- You completed active cancer treatment at least three months ago
- You are willing to wear and sync a Fitbit device for 12 weeks
What Will I Be Asked to Do?
- Engage in three Burnalong classes of your choice per week for 12 Weeks (Burnalong is a virtual physical activity platform for you and a friend or family member to engage in physical activity together using sub-accounts and two-way video sharing)
- Post at least twice per week for 12 weeks on our private discussion board with other study participants
- Participate in monthly live group exercise sessions with study participants led by our team’s cancer-certified Exercise Physiologist
- You will be provided with a free Fitbit that you will be asked to wear and sync for 12 weeks. You can keep the Fitbit at the end of the study.
- You will be asked to complete online surveys (20 minutes) and an online fitness assessment (10 minutes) at the start and end of the study, as well as an end of study interview (approximately 45 minutes)
Will I Be Compensated?
Participants will receive a Fitbit Charge 4.
How Do I Sign Up?
If you would like to participate or have questions about this study, email the study coordinator at Jessica.Capaldi@cshs.org or click here to provide your contact information. Someone from our team will reach out to you and will help get you started on the enrollment process.
Study Description
This study examines the effects of a high velocity resistance training, or power training, intervention in women with a history of breast cancer who possess numbness, tingling, and/or pain in their hands and/or feet.
Am I Eligible to Participate?
You are eligible to participate if you:
- Are a woman with a history of breast cancer (stages 0-3; non-metastatic)
- Have completed treatment and are between 30 days and 5 years post treatment
- Have received known neuropathy-inducing agents (taxanes, platinums, vinca alkaloids, or a combination)
- Have chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms
- Are at least 18 years old
- Currently participate in less than 150 minutes of physical activity per week
- Do not have any current injuries
What Will I Be Asked to Do?
Participants will be asked to complete 24 one-hour long exercise sessions over the course of 15-20 weeks, along with blood work before and after completion of the exercise program.
Will I Be Compensated?
There is no compensation provided for participation in this study.
How Do I Sign Up?
To sign up to participate, please email mgleeson@oakland.edu
Study Description
Researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are conducting a research study for young adult cancer survivors about relationships and sexual health. The purpose of this study is to learn directly from young adults about how to best ask about concerns in these areas.
Am I Eligible to Participate?
You are eligible to participate in this study if:
- You are a cancer survivor currently between the ages of 18 and 39
- You have completed cancer treatment
- You have concerns about relationships and sexual health
What Will I Be Asked to Do?
Participation in this study would involve meeting one-on-one over Zoom with a psychologist for 60-90 minutes to talk about concerns about sexual health and relationships. Participants would also review some commonly used questions about these issues and provide feedback on how they could be improved for young adult cancer survivors.
Will I Be Compensated?
Participants will receive a $50 Amazon gift card.
How Do I Sign Up?
Contact a study coordinator at 617-582-8260 or survivorship_research@dfci.harvard.edu and a member of the study team will reach out to you.
Study Description
Researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are conducting a research study for young adult cancer survivors about relationships and sexual health. The purpose of this study is to learn directly from young adults about how to best ask about concerns in these areas.
Am I Eligible to Participate?
You are eligible for this study if:
- You are a cancer survivor between the ages of 18 and 39
- You have completed cancer treatment
- You have concerns about relationships and sexual health
What Will I Be Asked to Do?
Participation in this study would involve meeting one-on-one over Zoom with a member of our study team to talk about relationship and sexual health concerns. You would also review some commonly used questions about these issues and provide feedback on how they could be improved for young adult cancer survivors.
Will I Be Compensated?
Participants will receive a $50 gift certificate.
How Do I Sign Up?
If you would like to participate or have questions about this study, contact a study coordinator at 617-582-8260 or survivorship_research@dfci.
Study Description
STEP-YA teaches survivors how to make changes to sleep habits and behaviors in order to improve sleep.
Am I Eligible to Participate?
You are eligible for this study if:
- You are a cancer survivor between the ages of 20 and 39
- You have not received cancer therapy in the past four months
- You do not have any future cancer therapy planned
- You are experiencing sleep problems
What Will I Be Asked to Do?
Participants will first complete health questionnaires and then be randomized to the STEP-YA session either alone or with coaching phone calls one and two weeks later. STEP-YA is delivered by an instructor over videoconference and teaches survivors how to make changes to their sleep habits and health behaviors to improve their sleep. Participants will also complete questionnaires at the time of their session and again 1 and 2 months later.
Will I Be Compensated?
Participants will receive up to $60 in gift cards for completing all follow-ups and surveys. Each participant will also receive a personalized Sleep Action Plan.
How Do I Sign Up?
Contact step@dfci.harvard.edu or call (617) 582-8260
Study Description
Many individuals with cancer who are receiving or who have received chemotherapy and/or radiation develop fatigue that prevents them from doing daily activities that are important to them. This research seeks to discover strategies to manage and lessen this feeling of fatigue.
Am I Eligible to Participate?
You are eligible for this study if:
- You are 18 or older
- You are receiving or have received chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy
- You have been diagnosed with cancer within the last 5 years
- You are experiencing fatigue
- You do not have Stage 4 (cancer that has spread)
What Will I Be Asked to Do?
You will be asked to:
- Complete an online screen followed by three online surveys
- Participate in 10 online weekly visits using Zoom (each visit 20-30 minutes)
- Complete an individualized exercise program 3 times a week in the comfort of your home
- Complete 4 interactive online educational modules
Will I Be Compensated?
Participants will receive an individualized exercise program. At the end of the study, you will be compensated for your time with up to $80 in gift cards of your choice.
How Do I Sign Up?
To sign up to participate, visit https://redcap.link/UCUDCRF
If you have any questions, please contact Anne Fleischer at CaRehabResearch@gmail.com
Study Description
This is a clinical trial sponsored by the American Cancer Society, where we will be testing the helpfulness of two programs designed to teach breast and gynecological cancer survivors and their partners to communicate and cope with physical, emotional, and relationship challenges after cancer.
Am I Eligible to Participate?
This study is recruiting both survivors and their partners. Survivors are eligible for this study if:
- You had a breast or gynecologic cancer diagnosis between the ages of 18-39
- You were diagnosed between 6 months and 5 years ago
- You have a partner who is age 18 or older
- Both partners agree to participate
- You reside in the United States
What Will I Be Asked to Do?
The program consists of couples participating in 4-5 weekly sessions with a trained counselor. These sessions will last about 90 minutes. The programs are conducted entirely via videoconference (Zoom), so participants would not have to travel anywhere to participate.
Will I Be Compensated?
Each participant will receive a $10 eGift card for completing each online survey (3 surveys total). Couples may be asked to participate in a qualitative interview and each participant would receive a $20 eGift after the interview.
How Do I Sign Up?
If you are interested in participating, fill out the contact form on the study website by clicking here: https://health.oregonstate.edu/research/programs/tact/oc
Study Description
Sexual and reproductive health are important topics for many colorectal cancer patients and survivors. However these are often overlooked by providers and few resources are available to help young couples navigate these challenges. We need your help to better understand how young adult colorectal cancer survivors and their partners cope with the impact of the illness on their sexuality and fertility. By sharing your story, your voice can shape future cancer care!
Am I Eligible to Participate?
You are eligible to participate if you:
- Have received a diagnosis of colorectal cancer (stages I-IV) in the past 5 years
- Were between 18 and 39 years of age at time of diagnosis
- Are involved in a romantic relationship with a partner
- Are currently older than 18 years
Partners are eligible to participate if they are older than 18 and are English-speaking
What Will I Be Asked to Do?
You’ll be asked to complete an online survey which will take approximately 30 minutes (both partners). Some couples will also be invited to take part in an hour-long online interview with the research team.
Will I Be Compensated?
A $30 Amazon gift-card is offered when both partners have consented to the study and have completed the survey, for a total of $60 per couple. A resource list for sexuality, fertility, and emotional well-being will be provided to all respondents. Additional compensation is offered to couples completing the online interview ($120 per couple).
How Do I Sign Up?
To sign up to participate, visit https://tinyurl.com/AYASHARE
Study Description
This study explores the links between experiences of gender-based violence and breast cancer among Canadian women. We aim to advance holistic understandings of patient needs and help shape comprehensive cancer care.
Am I Eligible to Participate?
You are eligible to participate if you:
- Identify as a woman
- Are 18 years of age or older
- Have breast cancer (or have had breast cancer in the past)
- Received breast cancer care in Canada
- Have access to a safe, internet-enabled device
What Will I Be Asked to Do?
You’ll be asked to complete a brief online survey, with an optional interview.
Will I Be Compensated?
Participants will not receive compensation for participating in this study.
How Do I Sign Up?
Study Description
The purpose of the study is to test an app-based wellness intervention for chronic sleep disturbances among blood cancer patients.
Am I Eligible to Participate?
You are eligible to participate if you:
- Are currently diagnosed with a blood cancer and currently undergoing treatment
- Are not currently participating in a therapeutic pharmacologic clinical trial
- Have not received or are not planning to receive an allogenic stem cell transplantation
- Have moderate sleep disturbances or problems with sleep
- Own a smartphone and are willing to download a mobile app
- Are 18 years of age or older
What Will I Be Asked to Do?
You’ll be asked to use a smartphone-based wellness app for 10 minutes per day for a total of 8 weeks. Additionally, study participants will complete in-person blood draws and online surveys at 3 different time points over the course of the 20-week study (baseline, after 8 weeks, and after 20 weeks). Finally, participants will wear an Oura Ring daily and complete a brief daily sleep diary for 8 weeks and then again for 1 more week during week 20.
Will I Be Compensated?
Participants will receive $75 in compensation.
How Do I Sign Up?
To sign up to participate, visit https://uthscsa.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5gRiOOJQ6fW7srQ
Are you a researcher looking to spread the word about your study?
If you have a research opportunity open to young adults facing cancer, feel free to share it with us here.