FOCUS support for high-risk cancer patients and their caregivers
Adapting the FOCUS Program for High-Risk Cancer Patients and Caregivers
This project will adapt the FOCUS support program to help high-risk cancer patients and their caregivers reduce stress and improve quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11401671 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You and your caregiver would work with researchers and community partners to change the FOCUS psychoeducational program so it fits the needs of people from high-risk communities. The team will use a formal adaptation framework and community feedback to tailor content and delivery. The adapted program will then be piloted with high-risk patients and their caregivers to check whether people find it acceptable and feasible to use. Sessions focus on education, problem-solving, coping skills, and boosting confidence for both patients and caregivers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are cancer patients from high-risk communities who experience chronic stress and their informal caregivers who are willing to join a psychoeducational support program.
Not a fit: People without an available caregiver, those not from the targeted high-risk communities, or those unable to participate in program sessions may not receive benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the adapted program could improve quality of life, reduce chronic stress, and strengthen coping and support for both patients and caregivers in high-risk communities.
How similar studies have performed: The original FOCUS intervention showed positive results in three prior clinical trials, but tailoring it specifically for high-risk populations is a new step.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kamen, Charles Stewart — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Kamen, Charles Stewart
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.