Paths to resilience through social networks for older adults with advanced cancer
Official title: Pathways to Resilience of Social Networks of Older Adults with Advanced Cancer
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-11405491 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how the people and relationships around older adults with advanced cancer help shape their health choices and use of care near the end of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,250,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA295130-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11405491 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults (65+) with advanced cancer and an estimated survival of less than 12 months, and their key social network members.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without eligible advanced cancer or those without meaningful social networks may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
The project studies how the size, closeness, and support roles of a patient’s social network influence important end-of-life health behaviors. It focuses on adults aged 65 and older with advanced cancer and a limited life expectancy, examining how conversations about illness, advance care planning, and engagement with palliative care are shaped by social ties. Researchers will analyze network structure, the support functions those networks provide, and the quality of relationships to understand their impact on care decisions. The goal is to identify pathways where social connections can promote comfort, alignment with patient preferences, and appropriate use of palliative services. Expect findings that could guide interventions to bolster meaningful discussions and planning with loved ones and care teams.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help clinicians and families support timely and patient-centered end-of-life planning for older adults with advanced cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that social networks influence health behaviors, with added value expected from focusing on end-of-life planning.
Where this research is happening
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University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mohile, Supriya G. — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Mohile, Supriya G.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Helping Advanced Cancer Patients and Families Plan Ahead with a Resilience-Building Web Program
A web-based resilience program is being tested to help people with advanced cancer and their family caregivers have meaningful conversations and complete advance directives.
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Web program to help people with advanced cancer and their caregivers talk about future medical wishes
This project tries a web-based resilience program to help adults with advanced cancer and their family caregivers talk about future care and complete advance directives.
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How social connections shape care choices for older adults with advanced cancer
This project looks at how the people in an older adult's life and the quality of those relationships affect having serious illness conversations, completing advance care plans, and using palliative care.
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Understanding how social networks help older adults with advanced cancer
This study is looking at how the friendships and support systems of older adults with advanced cancer can help them make important health decisions and improve their quality of life.
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Helping advanced cancer patients and their families plan for future care
This study is testing a friendly online program to help people with advanced cancer and their family caregivers feel stronger and more confident in making important medical decisions together.
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Helping adolescents and young adults with advanced cancer manage stress and build resilience
This study is testing a supportive program called PRISM for young people with advanced cancer, which includes personal sessions to help them manage stress and set goals, along with a family meeting to talk about their needs, all aimed at improving their well-being during this tough time.
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.