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National Institutes of Health Awards Grant to Dr. Dinorah Martinez-Tyson

The National Institutes of Health has awarded a grant to Dinorah (Dina) Martinez-Tyson, Ph.D., MPH that will lead to a more in-depth understanding of the supportive care needs of Latino male cancer survivors, a rapidly growing group in the US, and in particular Florida.

When compared to European Americans, cancer statistics continue to document disparities in cancer incidence, mortality, and survival for Latinos. Cancer is the second leading cause of death among Latinos, and Latino men are more likely to be diagnosed at a more advanced stage of the disease.

"Considering the long-term treatment related side effects that deeply affect quality of life, and that Latinos are being diagnosed at younger ages, it is critical that we develop a better understanding of the supportive care needs of this at-risk population," said Dr. Martinez-Tyson.

The purpose of this study is to find out the coping and supportive care needs of Latino cancer survivors who have received treatment (for example, surgery or radiation). Very little research has been done on the survivorship experience of Latino men. "We want to understand the issues and challenges faced by Latinos who have been diagnosed with cancer so that we can develop or adapt programs to better meet the needs and preferences of non-English speaking populations," said Dr. Martinez-Tyson.

This project builds on a strong relationship with Latino cancer survivors in the Tampa Bay community who have shared what they know about the need for tools and materials in Spanish that would help them manage their lives and reduce stress during and after cancer treatment. The project also builds upon an existing strong partnership between Dr. Tyson, the Moffitt Cancer Center’s Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network (TBCCN) Community Network Program Center, and community-based organizations that also serve Latino cancer survivors in West Central Florida.

As part of the project, a cancer-related supportive care needs measurement instrument, based on the Cancer Survivor Unmet Needs (CaSUN) measure, will be translated, culturally adapted, and revised. Revisions will partially rely on a series of focus groups. The new questionnaire will then be administered to 84 Latino men who have been diagnosed with cancer. It is anticipated that the initial findings will yield a valid and reliable measure that can be exported and used in larger studies with minor modifications.

"Before programs and interventions can be developed to improve negative disease and treatment effects, researchers must describe and develop an understanding of cancer survivor needs and illness experience,” said Dr. Tyson. “In a time of limited resources, such tools can also help to identify individuals who would most likely benefit from targeted supportive interventions."

For additional information, contact Martinez-Tyson at 813-974-0723 or dmtyson@usf.edu.

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