Cancer Survivors

Negative psychological effects of cancer are common, but cancer survivors are rarely offered structured psychological treatment. Internet-delivered treatments have shown some promise, but specific treatment components have not been empirically evaluated which means that it is not clear which therapies that should be prioritized. In this randomized factorial trial at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, 400 cancer survivors with psychiatric symptoms are enrolled in variations on a 10-week therapist-guided online psychological treatment intended to address the negative psychological long-term effects of cancer. The aim is to determine the contribution of treatment components to the overall effect.

The purpose of this study is to find out if a psychotherapy method called brief behavioral activation (BBA) can improve depression, anxiety, and overall well-being and encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors in English- and Spanish-speaking Older Adult Cancer Survivors (OACS). BBA is a therapeutic technique that guides people to set goals and engage in enjoyable or rewarding activities as a way of changing behavior and reducing symptoms of depression. In this study, BBA will be given by telephone or videoconference (remotely).

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) (including taxanes, platinum, al pervenche from Madagascar alkaloids...), is a frequent secondary effect of treatments: 68% at 1-month post-chemotherapy, 60% at 3 months and 30% after 6 months. Symptoms associated with CIPN are usually symmetric and bilateral (typical distribution in "gloves and socks") inducing sensory alterations, paresthesias, dysesthesias, numbness and pain. Neuropathic Pain (NP) is an important characteristic of CIPN, affects 25-80% of patients with CIPN, and reduces quality of life (e.g., concomitant psychological distress, risks of falls, risks of neurocognitive impairments, and sleep disorders). In severe cases, it is even necessary to delay and/or reduce the dose of chemotherapy. The benefit of drug interventions on NP remains limited. To date, there are no proven preventive strategies and few evidence-based treatment options for CIPN. Also, the use of complementary or non-pharmacological interventions are common, including photobiomodulation (PBM). PBM is the therapeutic use of non-ionizing laser light for its anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects. Its use is currently recommended only for the prevention of oral mucositis related to cancer treatments. Recent preliminary clinical evidence suggests that PBM may be beneficial to established CIPN, with safety and improvement beyond the intervention. However, to date, clinical trials are rare, have methodological weaknesses, and/or focus on global CIPN. The overall objectives of the study are therefore to assess the effectiveness, feasibility and safety of the PBM for treating NP in the CIPN.

Cancer survivors can experience health issues that cause chronic illness and lower quality of life. Yoga is a well-known holistic approach to health and overall well-being. Mindfulness has many benefits, including improved focus and less stress. This study aims to evaluate if yoga and/or mindfulness has a positive effect on cancer survivors social, emotional and physical well-being as well as their epigenetics. Epigenetics is how the environment can effect your genes; not by changing our DNA, but by turning genes on or off.

This study will determine the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week dyadic culinary nutrition program among Hispanic prostate cancer survivor/caregiver dyads using a randomized controlled trial design.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a 12-week hybrid exercise and education program (EmpowerHer) works to improve health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors aged 35 to 65. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the EmpowerHer program improve the everyday quality of life of participants? * Does the program lower fatigue, anxiety, and depression while raising physical fitness? Researchers will compare the EmpowerHer program to usual medical care to see if the program works better to help survivors recover. Participants will: * Use a mobile application at home at least twice a week for structured exercise. * Read short educational modules on the mobile application about health after cancer. * Attend weekly in-person motivational group sessions with a program facilitator. * Complete health and physical tests at the start, at 12 weeks, and 3 months later.

Childhood cancer is a rare disease but a significant cause of death in children and adolescents. The incidence of childhood cancer is 1case per 300 cases of adult cancer, but surviving to it has important sequels. Endocrine dysfunction represents one of the most common issues in paediatric cancer survivors and impairs bone mineral density later in life. Some forms of exercise have been recommended to preserve bone health in healthy adults; however, its effect has not been properly studied yet in adult survivors of paediatric cancer using cutting-edge technologies, such as peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). As general aim, the 3D-BONE study will assess for the first time the effect of a live and online exercise programme on bone parameters and bone metabolism in adult survivors of paediatric cancer. This multicenter randomized controlled trial will be performed in three Andalusian provinces (Granada, Cordoba and Almeria). A minimum of 116 adult survivors of paediatric cancer aged 18 to 55 years will be recruited following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. They will be randomized (based on sex and age) into an INTERVENTION (n=58) or CONTROL group (n=58). The intervention group will receive a 6-month live and online exercise program based on progressive resistance and impact loading training that will be delivered by qualified professionals using a telehealth mobile app (3D-BONE app). Moreover, behaviour change techniques will be implemented in order to increase motivation and adherence to the program. This group will also receive diet counselling on calcium and vitamin so the difference between the groups is the exercise programme. Participants will be assessed before and after the intervention at the facilities of the Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS) of the University of Granada. An in-depth analysis of bone parameters will be carried out using cutting-edge technologies, such as the pQCT (to analyse cortical and trabecular bone in 3 dimensions), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), hip and lumbar spine geometry outcomes. Moreover, a complete blood count will be obtained and markers of bone metabolism will be measured (B-CTX, PINP), including novel markers such as sclerostin and irisin which have recently been linked to human bone. Data will also be collected in anthropometry and body composition to obtain cardiovascular risk factors, sarcopenia and physiologic frailty risk factors, mental health, health-related quality of life and objective measures of physical activity and fitness. This will ensure obtaining novel, precise and strong data in this population.

The goal of this study is to establish whether use of a digital intervention can improve adherence and alignment with the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) 2024 Guidelines. A subset of the study will focus on whether the intervention improves outcomes for young adults living with CKD, in the context of the imminent co-location of Children's Health Ireland on the St. James's Hospital campus. Young adults with CKD transitioning to adult services are recognised as a high-risk and vulnerable cohort, with many individuals unaware of increased cardiovascular risk and mortality¹². In response, and in the context of the co-location of Children's Health Ireland on the St. James's Hospital site, a young adult nephrology clinic has been established. The KDIGO CKD 2024 Guidelines identify transition as a period of increased risk and include recommendations regarding cardiovascular risk factor targets and the use of therapies known to delay CKD progression³. Electronic communication is a preferred method for accessing health information among many young adults⁴⁵ and aligns with Sláintecare digital health strategies⁶. A recently established, award-winning St. James's Hospital renal smartphone application is currently used by over 3,000 individuals living with CKD. The study aims to determine whether use of the application improves adherence to KDIGO guideline recommendations, with the objective of delaying CKD progression and associated complications. The application will support optimisation of care by signposting opportunities for evidence-based interventions (e.g., SGLT2 inhibitors, renin-angiotensin system inhibition) to healthcare providers. The application will also provide participants with tailored recommendations, reminders, educational materials, and collection of patient-reported outcome measures. Due to the diverse population and range of specialties at St. James's Hospital, the young adult clinic serves distinct subgroups, including individuals with sickle cell anaemia and survivors of cancer and haematological malignancies. These populations will be examined in the context of KDIGO guideline implementation, contributing to a limited international evidence base. This research evaluates an intervention designed to improve care for adults living with chronic kidney disease.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of metacognitive therapy (MCT) in reducing fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) among cancer survivors. With advances in cancer treatment, more patients are surviving cancer. However, many survivors continue to experience fear of cancer recurrence, which can affect their emotional well-being, quality of life, and ability to return to normal daily activities. In this study, participants will receive a structured psychological intervention adapted from the ConquerFear program. This program has been modified to better fit local cultural needs. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either metacognitive therapy or relaxation therapy. The study will compare the effects of these interventions on reducing fear of cancer recurrence, as well as their impact on emotional distress and quality of life. The results of this study may help develop effective psychological treatments to support cancer survivors in managing fear of recurrence and improving overall well-being.

This study aims to compare an adapted plyometric strength-endurance exercise program with conventional strength training in women who are breast cancer survivors or currently undergoing treatment and who participate in provincial support associations. The goal is to determine whether a targeted plyometric intervention can provide additional benefits in physical and mental health outcomes. Using a cluster-randomized clinical trial design, the study will assess indicators such as functional capacity, muscle strength, fatigue levels, symptoms related to lymphedema, and overall quality of life. The findings are expected to contribute to a better understanding of how structured exercise programs can support recovery, physical function, and well-being in women affected by breast cancer.

Medical professionals now take into account the specificities of the care and support of Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs). Cancer aftermaths in patients diagnosed during the AYA period are also known: the consequences of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments on a growing organism, the difficulty of some follow-ups, the longevity, and the delayed occurrence of certain complications. In the general population, sleep disorders affect 40% of adolescents. About 30% of pediatric cancer survivors experience fatigue they attribute to their cancer, even years after the end of their treatment. The sleep quality of patients treated for cancer when they were AYAs, and the eventual care of sleeping disorders, are poorly studied. The investigators suppose that the oncologic treatment during this particular life stage, when sleeping disorders are already present and multifactorial, could have long-term impacts on sleep. The investigators offer to evaluate, through a questionnaire filled out by patients treated for cancer in the AYA period, the frequency of moderate to severe insomnia.

Poor sleep affects over half of U.S. cancer survivors, contributing to daytime fatigue, reduced physical activity, and diminished quality of life. Traditional sleep treatments often target diagnosed disorders, leaving many survivors with subclinical sleep issues underserved. Sleep health-a broader concept encompassing sleep regularity, satisfaction, alertness, timing, efficiency, and duration (RU-SATED)-offers a more inclusive framework for intervention. The TSHI is a modular, skills-based program designed to improve these dimensions of sleep health. Delivered via six weekly one-on-one Zoom sessions, TSHI emphasizes behavioral strategies like sleep hygiene, relaxation, and energy management. This six-week, single-group quasi-experimental pilot study will enroll 10 cancer survivors to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of TSHI. Researchers will evaluate changes in sleep health, fatigue, physical activity, and quality of life using surveys, interviews, and ActiGraph data. By targeting sleep as a modifiable health behavior, this study aims to lay the groundwork for scalable interventions that enhance recovery and well-being in cancer survivors.

Colorectal cancer is a globally prevalent malignant tumor. Postoperative patients often face physical discomfort, psychological stress, and lack of healthy lifestyles. However, traditional health education models have limitations such as insufficient targeting and poor interactivity, making it difficult to meet their needs for full-cycle health management. This study is a multicenter randomized controlled trial, which plans to enroll 174 patients aged 18 years and above who have undergone radical resection for colorectal cancer, and randomly divide them into an experimental group and a control group at a ratio of 1:1. The experimental group will receive Transtheoretical Model (TTM)-based metaverse lifestyle health education (including phased course learning, metaverse immersive interaction, and WeChat group check-in supervision) with an intervention cycle of 1 months and follow-up until 3 months after the intervention; the control group will only receive routine paper-based education and outpatient follow-up. The study aims to verify the improvement effect of this metaverse intervention model on the quality of life and healthy lifestyle of colorectal cancer survivors, and explore its role in improving patients' self-efficacy, so as to provide empirical evidence for optimizing long-term health management programs for cancer survivors.

Lung cancer is the second-most commonly diagnosed cancer among U.S. Veterans. Substantial advances have been made in early detection through screening and treatment. The longevity of Veterans following lung cancer diagnosis and treatment has increased. Following treatment however, many Veterans experience increased symptom burden, particularly in shortness of breath, fatigue, and fear/anxiety about lung cancer, and impairments in physical and psychosocial functioning. Rehabilitation services are needed to address these survivorship challenges. This study will evaluate multi-targeted telerehabilitation with Veterans following lung cancer treatment, with goals to reduce symptom burden, improve physical and psychosocial function, and enhance health-related quality of life. This research will also develop the career of a physician researcher to acquire expertise in rehabilitation for many Veteran survivors of lung and other cancers.

This Phase 2a clinical study (GIANTS-1) aims to evaluate a novel dual-combination strategy using GI-102 and GIB-7 to address key pathological features of aging, including immunosenescence (the aging of the immune system), metabolic dysfunction, and gut-brain-muscle axis dysregulation.

To explore the effectiveness of EMDR therapy treatment in reducing symptoms of chemotherapy-induced conditioned nausea and vomiting in (former) patients with cancer.

This will be a randomized, placebo-controlled trial with a 2x2 factorial design testing the effects of an NAD+ precursor (NR) and exercise on skeletal muscle quality and VO2max in AYA HCT survivors. The primary outcome is the change in muscle strength (isometric knee extension) from baseline to 16 weeks. Key secondary outcomes are the change in muscle strength (ankle plantarflexion) from baseline to 16 weeks, the change in grip strength from baseline to 16 weeks, the change in lower extremity muscle mass from baseline to 16 weeks, the change in muscle OXPHOS capacity from baseline to 16 weeks, and the change in aerobic capacity (VO2 max) from baseline to 16 weeks.

This study will introduce cancer survivors to cross-training with the expectation that the program proposed will ultimately result in superior improvements in functional performance, body composition and quality of life compared with the current American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines for cancer survivors.

European Cancer Mission calls attention to the return to work (RTW) of cancer survivors (CSs), as one of the pivotal issues of the cancer continuum that need to be addressed through proper and prompt actions and recommendations. Employers are important stakeholders, as they can provide emotional and practical support, sustain communication during the entire process, and guarantee a gradual work reintegration. In Italy there is lack of knowledge regarding this topic. Thus, further exploration of Italian employers' perspectives on the RTW of employees with cancer should be performed to comprehend their unknown experiences. The aim is to explore the perspectives of employers who dealt with the RTW process of employees who received a cancer diagnosis through a qualitative research design.

The goal of this screening study is to determine the feasibility of completing a social needs screening tool in participants who have a past or current cancer diagnosis and reside in Metro Detroit, Michigan. Main questions to answer are: * Can we have a completion rate of at least 80% of participants filling out the screening tool? * Can we determine procedures for patient referrals based on social needs * Can we implement brief interventions based on food access and digital inclusion (ensuring everyone has access to the digital technologies they need to participate in society)

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a severe and persistent side effect of cancer and its treatment, affecting up to 40% of patients and significantly reducing quality of life. Recent research suggests that circadian rhythm disruption has been implicated as a possible related pathophysiological mechanism underlying CRF. Circadian rhythms are 24-hour cycles regulating physiology and behavior through environmental cues called "zeitgebers." Strengthening these cues-such as light exposure, physical activity, and eating-may help reduce CRF. This project will develop and test the optimal combination a home-based, low-burden chrono-behavioral therapy (ChronoBT) targeting these zeitgebers.

Since 2010, the field of immunotherapy has grown substantially, leading to a growing population of long-term cancer survivors treated with immunotherapy. Since cancer survivorship in immunotherapy is an emerging field, to date not much is known about psychosocial and neurocognitive survivorship-related issues in advanced cancer survivors treated with immunotherapy. Preliminary findings indicated significant psychosocial and cognitive problems in survivors of advanced melanoma persist after treatment with immunotherapy. The objective for this project is twofold. First, the investigators want to longitudinally identify survival-related problems in survivors of advanced cancer treated with immunotherapy. The second goal is to identify the efficacy of an Integrative Neuro-Cognitive Remediation Therapy (INCRT) program. The investigators will focus on the following outcomes: (1) Psychosocial consequences, such as emotional complaints, fatigue, fear of recurrence, (2) neurocognitive functioning, and (3) health-related quality of life. The INCRT combines personalized computerized cognitive training and neurocognitive strategy training, with group sessions of exercise, mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. We will have three cohorts: * Cohort 1: advanced cancer survivors treated with immunotherapy * Cohort 2: cancer survivors treated with cancer therapy of any kind (excluded immunotherapy), and who have subjective complaints and/or objective cognitive impairment * Cohort 3: cancer survivors of a central nervous system (CNS) tumor, who do not have active disease in the CNS, and who have subjective complaints and/or objective cognitive impairment In the first part of the study, survival-related problems will be evaluated in cohort 1, in a longitudinal manner by means of a semi-structured interview at baseline, various questionnaires and a computerized neuropsychological test battery. In the second part of the study, patients of cohort 1, 2 and 3 with subjective or objective cognitive dysfunction can follow the INCRT program. The efficacy of the INCRT is evaluated through a pre-INCRT and post-INCRT evaluation. This evaluation consist of several questionnaires and neuropsychological tests. Long-term efficacy will be evaluated by a follow-up evaluation six months after completion of the INCRT program.

Recent numbers display a 85% survival-rate in children after a very harmful disease such as cancer. However, the survivors still experience mild to severe side effects of the primary disease or treatment. A long time follow-up in the University Hospital of Ghent in children with cancer displays important long term side effects such as: reduced muscle strength; reduced endurance capacity; reduced exercise tolerance; fatigue; disturbed body composition with increased risk for obesity and/or diabetes and osteoporosis; and neuropathic damage and myopathy. These physical complaints have a significant impact on the activities and participation in daily living. The purpose of this interventional study is to create a rehabilitation program for children after acute cancer treatment. The goal is to minimalize the previous described long term side effects of the disease. The current study should allow us to determine the effects of the intervention at the level of functioning, activities and participation. In addition, we account for the environment and personal factors as described by the International Classification of Functioning, disability and health (ICF-criteria). The study population consists of children between 8 and 11 years and adolescents of 12 to 21 years old. All participants receive a multidisciplinary treatment for 4 months, guided by a team which includes: oncologist, rehabilitation doctor, physical therapist, dietitian, psychologist, and occupational therapist. At the beginning of the multidisciplinary program, the participants receive psychoeducation, diet advice, tips for participation, fatigue, and psychological well-being. In general, the rehabilitation program focusses on reintegration at school and leisure activity. After the first assessment, an individually adjusted physical program consisting of strength and endurance training will be made. This physical program will be executed 3 times a week, 2 times guided by a physical therapist at the University Hospital or at a private practice, and ones a week by themselves at home recorded by an activity tracker. Follow-up is foreseen on monthly basis. Participants will undergo assessment 3 times: 1) baseline (T0); 2) after 4 months treatment (T1); 3) after 1 year follow-up (T2). The purpose of this program is to encourage patients at risk for increasing their healthy habits, exercise and participation in order to decrease long-term (side) effects.