The goal of this clinical research study is to learn about the relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cancer risk in men who test positive for HPV antibodies. Antibodies are created by the immune system and may attack foreign cells or diseased cells, such as HPV. HPV infections can lead to oropharyngeal, anal, and/or penile cancer. The goal of the entire study is to learn if screening for HPV can help doctors learn which patients may be at a higher risk for developing these types of cancer. Read More

The goal of this study is to determine if scheduled communication with the oncology team through phone calls is helpful to caregivers with the transition to hospice care. Read More

The purpose of this research study is to test a new way to deliver oncology and palliative care for patients with metastatic breast cancer. - The goal of this study is to test a model where oncology and palliative care work together to care for participants with metastatic breast cancer who were recently admitted to the hospital or have new or worsening cancer involving their brain or the fluid around the brain or spinal cord. - The investigators are studying whether participants who receive care from both teams have better communication about their care and improved quality of life and mood compared to those receiving care from only their oncologists. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to conduct a randomized trial testing the impact of the collaborative palliative and oncology care model or standard oncology care models among patients with poor prognosis metastatic breast cancer. Participants assigned to the intervention arm will participate in a series of structured palliative care visits, following tailored clinical practice guidelines previously developed for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Read More

The long-term goal of this research is to develop new tools to guide patients, caregivers, and clinicians in making individualized decisions regarding colorectal cancer (CRC) surveillance. As part of a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute-funded contract, principal investigator will analyze surveillance data to determine the effectiveness of CRC surveillance and recurrence risk taking into account different patient and tumor characteristics; identify key issues about CRC surveillance important to patients, caregivers, and clinicians; and integrate the recurrence risk and patient priorities into a patient-centered, risk stratified surveillance strategy by creating an interactive decision aid for use by patients and clinicians. The specific aims of the study are: Aim 1 - Determine the effectiveness of surveillance of colorectal cancer patients following curative resection and the factors associated with recurrence treatment eligibility. Aim 2 - Identify key priorities for surveillance that are important to patients and clinicians through stakeholder engagement. Aim 3 - Develop a patient-centered risk-stratified surveillance strategy utilizing a novel, interactive, decision aid to facilitate shared decision making. This protocol addresses a formative step in the creation of the interactive decision aid where patients' information needs and preferences are assessed regarding decisions about surveillance. The specific aims of this protocol are: Phase 1 - To interview patients and their caregivers to determine their concerns, preferences and key priorities regarding surveillance after curative resection of colorectal cancer, and Phase 2 - To refine the key priorities identified in phase 1 through focus groups and surveys with patients and caregivers. Read More

The purpose of this study is to implement a community-based combined program for early detection of breast, cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancer in low-resource countries delivered through a free standing or a mobile Well Woman Clinic. The goals of this program are to downstage cancers and improve mortality rates using low-cost early detection methods. These programs will be implemented in regions where early cancer detection strategies are not in place and cancers present at advanced stages with resultant high mortality. Currently, there are three target project sites: Cambodia (June 2011), India (June 2011), and Brazil (March 2011). Memorandums of Understanding have been secured with local health organizations in each region to establish clinic operations. Each clinic would serve an approximate target population of 100,000 amongst whom about 12,000 eligible women (4-5,000 annually) will be invited to be screened for breast and cervical cancer over a three-year time span. Read More

The goal of this research study is find out if researchers can use genetic testing on tumor samples to predict if tumors will respond to breast cancer treatments. The tumor sample will be tested to learn if certain genes are activated (turned on) in the tumor. Researchers hope that the activation of these genes may predict if the tumor will be sensitive or resistant to routine breast cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. Read More