January 29, 2007
Prostate Cancer Study Underway in Miami
University of Miami’s Department of Psychology receives $2.1 million from NIH to fund study
CORAL GABLES, FL. (Jan. 26, 2007) -- A researcher in the University of Miami’s Department of Psychology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center recently received a $2.1 million grant from the National Institute of Health’s National Cancer Institute to conduct one of the largest most ethnically diverse study to-date to better understand why African Americans and Hispanics show poorer quality of life following prostate cancer treatment.
The 5-year study entitled, “Ethnicity Determinants of Quality of Life in Prostate Cancer”, is a prospective study that examines the role of ethnicity and psychosocial factors such as stress, coping and social support on prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“Our goal is to better understand the psychosocial impact of prostate cancer treatment among ethnically diverse men in order to develop culturally appropriate psychosocial interventions to maximize quality of life in men treated for prostate cancer,” says Dr. Frank Penedo, Principal Investigator of the study who is an associate professor of psychology in the UM Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Science, and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center..
Dr. Penedo and his research team are recruiting 600 male participants for this study which involves an assessment of psychosocial factors and physical health status from diagnosis to two years post treatment. The total number of participants will represent African-American, Hispanic and Non-Hispanic white males from South Florida. They will also study the effects of stress on the immune system and how treatment affects quality of life. To be eligible for the study, participants will need to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and be scheduled to receive treatment, and be willing to be followed over a 2-year period following commencement of treatment. There will be a total of four visits and participants will receive compensation of $50 per visit.
The study is being conducted in collaboration with the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and the UM Department of Urology, UM Miller School of Medicine. To participate, please call 305 243 3329.
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Media Contact:
Annie Reisewitz
305-284-1601
a.reisewitz@miami.edu
