Have You Heard Of STARTRK2 Ignyta Clinical Trial?

Ignyta Clinical Trial

Lacuna Loft’s mission is bringing resources and support to young adult cancer survivors and caregivers.  Sometimes that means we run an awesome Writing Group and sometimes that means talking about the importance of clinical trials and other studies in which you can take part.

Ignyta is running a trial and bringing molecular testing to the forefront of cancer cures.  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.

Have you been molecularly tested?  Interested in other studies?  Check out more information we’ve shared recently here.

Want To Become More Physically Active?

exercise after young adult cancer

Lacuna Loft LOVES spreading the word about research!  A group of researchers in the Department of Kinesiology at California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo is looking for young adult cancer survivors between the ages of 18-39 years old who live in California, Nevada, Oregon, or Washington who would like to increase their physical activity levels.  You must be more than 6 months post-cancer treatment and engage in less than 60 minutes of exercise per week!

All study participants will be a part of a 12-week intervention in which you will receive a Fitbit One with personalized step-goals, as well weekly emails of behavioral change content.  You will complete questionnaires and wear an activity monitor before and after the 12-week study.  Some participants will have the opportunity to earn money if their daily step-goal is met, which will be donated to a cancer charity of their choice.

In appreciation of your participation, you will get to keep your Fitbit One after the intervention is over and receive a $20 gift card.

If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact the research study staff!
Email:  survivorstepstudy@gmail.com
Phone Number: 805-756-5544

Research Study For Young Adult Cancer Caregivers!

young adult cancer caregivers study

For many people, young adulthood is a time of exploring and forming their identity.  Young adults are often completing their education, establishing a career, and developing intimate relationships.  Most young adults do not expect to take care of a loved one with cancer.  This is not a typical responsibility for someone their age.  Yet, about 1.46 million young adults take care of a cancer patient.  When a family member or close friend is diagnosed with cancer, young adults may have to put aside their current activities and future goals to take care of their loved one with cancer.  Taking care of a cancer patient can be difficult.  It can be especially difficult for young adults who have a lot of other responsibilities, like taking care of young children or starting a dream job.  Taking care of a cancer patient can sometimes lead to fear of abandonment, uncertainty, and loss.  It can also threaten one’s financial stability.  On the other hand, young adults can be protected from the negative parts of caregiving when they feel supported by those around them.

A social network is a group of people, like friends, acquaintances, and coworkers who are connected by interpersonal relationships.  Many people use social media, like Facebook and Twitter, to interact with their social networks.  Over 97% of young adults use social media in their everyday lives.  They use social media to get answers to questions about health, share information, and build relationships.  Using social media might help young adults who take care of a cancer patient.  This study asks the question, “How does using social media help or hinder a young adult when they start taking care of a cancer patient?”  By doing this study, we want to explain how young adults who are taking care of cancer patients can use social media to get the help they need.

If you are between the ages 18-39 years, and you help take care of a friend or family member who has been diagnosed with cancer in the last year, we need your help!  Please contact Echo Warner or Austin Waters for more information:
Echo Warner, MPH
Huntsman Cancer Institute
Echo.warner@hci.utah.edu
801.244.7040

Austin Waters
Huntsman Cancer Institute
Austin.waters@hci.utah.edu
801-213-5758

Stage IV Breast Or Prostate Cancer?

treatment access platform

Lacuna Loft is partnered with a company that is changing the landscape of how cancer patients access treatment options. The company was founded by a radiation oncologist and a pathologist, they have young adult cancer survivors on their team, and they help patients with Stage IV breast or prostate cancer identify their unique clinical trial options at top cancer centers in the United States. For a limited time, the company is offering this service at no cost to patients with Stage IV breast or prostate cancer in the Lacuna Loft community.

If you’re interested in learning more, please fill out this form and a member of their team will reach out to you to set up a time for a call where they will share more about the company and how they can help.

Cultivating Purpose In Young Adult Cancer Survivors

cultivating purpose in young adult cancer survivors

Graduate students from Claremont Graduate University in Southern California are studying cultivating purpose in young adult cancer survivors. They are interested in having in-person interviews next week in Los Angeles to talk to young adult cancer survivors between the ages of 14 and 27 and (if possible) somewhere between 0 and 3 years out of treatment. The total time commitment is 2-3 hours which includes the 1 hour, in-person interview and they are compensating people for their time.

Fill out the sign-up form below to be contacted to schedule your in-person interview!

STARTRK2 Ignyta Clinical Trial is still recruiting!

ignyta clinical trial

Lacuna Loft believes strongly in helping young adult cancer patients have better access to clinical trials and studies since these young adults are grossly underrepresented.  Adolescent and young adult cancer patients haven’t experienced an increase in survival rates since the ’70s and researchers believe that clinical trial participation could help change this!  Clinical trials help find cures and we love sharing them with you.

Ignyta is running a trial and bringing molecular testing to the forefront of cancer cures.  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.

Speaker Series Talk: Cancer In The Workplace Research – Robyn

cancer in the workplace

A few months ago we launched our newest program here at Lacuna Loft, the Speaker Series!  Our 5th Speaker Series Talk is now live!  You can now watch Robyn talk about her Cancer in the Workplace Research.

Robyn was a delight to talk to.  She says, “I became interested in research, especially when I heard that 33% of working age cancer survivors were exiting the workforce within 5 years of their diagnosis.”  Learn more in her video!

After my diagnosis with breast cancer, I was startled to hear that although 90% of working aged cancer survivors return to work, 33% of working aged cancer exit the workforce within 5 years of their diagnosis. I spent time reflecting on my experience and my personal decision to leave my current employer and embark upon a new career and wanted to find out more. I found in my personal experience that there was an expectation that after my last day of radiation I would be back to 100% which was not the case. I also found that, after putting up the biggest fight of my life, the garbage in my workplace was illuminated and I wasn’t willing to be a part of it any longer.

As a part of my transition, I found myself going from HR Professional to HR Instructor and now have the opportunity to research why working aged cancer survivors are leaving the workforce and also capture those who are still in the workforce but in different positions. I am uncovering why people are leaving or changing jobs (often to their detriment) and what employers can do to keep employees impacted by cancer in the workforce. My ultimate goal is to help employers understand the challenges cancer patients face and that recovery is not instantaneous and make the experiences of others who are transitioning back to work a little brighter.

Psst…want to submit a topic for a future Speaker Series?  You can do so here!

Cancer In The Workplace Research: Speaker Series Program Announcement!

cancer in the workplace

A few months ago we launched our newest program here at Lacuna Loft, the Speaker Series!  Our 5th Speaker Series Talk will launch on Wednesday, December 20th!  Starting on that day, you’ll be able to watch Robyn talk about her Cancer in the Workplace Research.  While the talk won’t be live, we’d love for you to submit your questions!  After reading a little abstract on the talk, fill out the short form at the bottom of this post with all of your questions!  Submit as many as you want and Robyn will do her best to answer them at the end of her talk!

After my diagnosis with breast cancer, I was startled to hear that although 90% of working aged cancer survivors return to work, 33% of working aged cancer exit the workforce within 5 years of their diagnosis. I spent time reflecting on my experience and my personal decision to leave my current employer and embark upon a new career and wanted to find out more. I found in my personal experience that there was an expectation that after my last day of radiation I would be back to 100% which was not the case. I also found that, after putting up the biggest fight of my life, the garbage in my workplace was illuminated and I wasn’t willing to be a part of it any longer.

As a part of my transition, I found myself going from HR Professional to HR Instructor and now have the opportunity to research why working aged cancer survivors are leaving the workforce and also capture those who are still in the workforce but in different positions. I am uncovering why people are leaving or changing jobs (often to their detriment) and what employers can do to keep employees impacted by cancer in the workforce. My ultimate goal is to help employers understand the challenges cancer patients face and that recovery is not instantaneous and make the experiences of others who are transitioning back to work a little brighter.

Psst…want to submit a topic for a future Speaker Series?  You can do so here!

Cancer Experience Among Emerging Adults Research Study

cancer in emerging adults

As someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, you are invited to participate in a survey-based research study about the experience of individuals diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 18 and 29. This study is being completed to better understand the experience of young adults diagnosed with cancer in the hopes that one day, there will be improvements in the care provided to individuals in this age range. Your valuable input would greatly help us with this research and potentially help improve the experiences of individuals like you diagnosed with cancer in the future.

You are eligible to participate in this study if you received a cancer diagnosis between the ages of 18 and 29 and have completed some form of treatment (including, but not limited to chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, etc.) in the last 5 years. The survey should take less than 20 minutes to complete.

Should you choose to participate, your answers will be kept confidential and will never be linked directly to you. If you have research-related questions, please contact Mikaila Hudson at hudsonk15@students.ecu.edu or Dr. Natalia Sira, PhD, MD at siran@ecu.edu or 252-328-5544. Please contact the Office for Human Reseach Integrity (OHRI) at 252-744-2914 for questions about your rights as a research participant. Thank you for your valuable input!

 

Sibling Mindfulness Project

sibling mindfulness project

Coping with a brother’s or sister’s cancer treatment can be tough. Researchers from the University of North Texas and CanTeen, an Australian organization for young people living with cancer, are exploring whether using a smartphone-based mindfulness app can help. If you are between 15 and 25 years old and have a sibling who has been diagnosed with cancer in the past five years, you may be eligible to participate in our research study.

Researchers will provide participants with a mindfulness app, ACT companion, which you will use over the 8-week period of the study. Participants will be asked to complete brief questionnaires before, after the intervention, and at 2-month follow-up. With this study, the researchers are hoping to explore whether mindfulness as a therapy (delivered by a smartphone app) can be helpful for you and whether family relationship styles affect how well mindfulness works. The results will be used to better understand how siblings are impacted by their brother’s or sister’s cancer, as well as what works to help.

To learn more and contact us, please visit https://goo.gl/9CxivF