RISE: Reducing Cancer and HIV Stigma through Empowerment
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11535371 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A randomized trial tests a culturally tailored storytelling program to reduce stigma and improve well-being for Zambian women living with cancer and HIV, and for the healthcare workers who treat them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $15,552 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA305776-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11535371 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are women living with both cancer and HIV at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in (Lusaka area) and healthcare workers involved in their care.
✕Less likely to help
Participants who do not experience reduced stigma or improved well-being may not see direct benefits, though data will inform future efforts.
What this research studies
This project invites Zambian women living with both cancer and HIV and their healthcare providers to participate in a storytelling-based intervention delivered over four weeks. Participants watch inspirational videos featuring peers and privately share their experiences to reduce internalized stigma and boost coping. The study uses a 2x2 factorial design to compare storytelling videos vs neutral videos and disclosed vs non-disclosed stories, with outcomes measured over a year. If successful, the program could help patients feel less stigma, improve quality of life, and support more compassionate care. The setting is the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka, with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center coordinating the effort.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, the intervention could lessen stigma, improve mental health, and enhance cancer care experiences for women living with cancer and HIV and potentially inform similar programs elsewhere.
How similar studies have gone: Prior storytelling and stigma-reduction approaches in cancer and HIV care have shown promise, but this exact multilevel, culturally adapted design is innovative.
Where this research is happening
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University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Qian — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Lu, Qian
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.