Virtual mindfulness program to improve sexual health after breast or gynecologic cancer
Official title: Virtual Mindful After Cancer Intervention to Promote Sexual Health for Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Survivors
Funded at Oregon State University · NIH-11193818 · Data updated 2026-11-12
An online mindfulness program to help breast and gynecologic cancer survivors manage sexual pain, low desire, body image, and intimacy problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Corvallis, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $297,170 |
| NIH project number | 5R34CA286710-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11193818 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Breast or gynecologic cancer survivors who have completed primary treatment and are experiencing sexual pain, low desire, poor body image, or relationship difficulties.
✕Less likely to help
People currently undergoing active cancer treatment, those without sexual concerns, or individuals who cannot participate in online group or home-based sessions may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
This project offers a virtual mindfulness program called Mindful After Cancer designed for breast and gynecologic cancer survivors who are struggling with sexual concerns. The program is delivered online and includes guided mindfulness practices, education about sexual changes after cancer, and strategies to address pain, body image, and relationship challenges. The R34 will use a pragmatic approach to try the program in routine care settings, enrolling survivors who report sexual distress and collecting self-reported outcomes on sexual function, pain, and well-being. If promising, the team plans to refine the program for wider dissemination so more survivors can access it from home.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a convenient, evidence-based online option to reduce sexual distress and improve intimacy and body image after cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Mindfulness-based approaches have shown benefits for sexual and psychosexual concerns and early work on this virtual program showed good acceptability, but larger pragmatic testing is new.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon State University
Corvallis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gorman, Jessica Lynn Rickard — Oregon State University
- Study coordinator: Gorman, Jessica Lynn Rickard
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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.