Women without cancer needed for chemo study
(Sept. 23, 2008) Healthy women, age 45 to 59, who have no history of breast cancer are being asked to volunteer for a research study of how chemotherapy affects patients' thinking abilities. Volunteers will serve as control subjects and will be compared to cancer patients.
Participants can expect to:
- spend two or three hours on three occasions (about six months apart) to take tests of memory, concentration and thinking
- give a small sample of blood
- one in four volunteers will be asked to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) around the time of each testing session
Study goals are to determine how frequently problems with memory and concentration occur, and to test a theory about what causes these difficulties. The results could help improve quality of life for women who undergo chemotherapy for treatment of breast cancer.
Participants will be compensated for their time.
To receive a consent form and determine whether you might wish to participate, or to obtain more information, please contact either Karin Conway, MBA, RN, at Karin.Conway@ucdenver.edu, 303-724-2536; or Lorna Baillie, BSN, RN, at Lorna.Baillie@ucdenver.edu, 303-724-2543.
COMIRB Protocol 03-1161; Jim Grigsby, PhD, Principal Investigator
Insomnia after breast cancer treatment
(Sept. 18, 2008) The purpose of this study is to understand insomnia in women after treatment for breast cancer and compare the effects of a previously tested behavioral approach to improve sleep with a behavioral approach that has not been tested.
Participants need to be:
- Women, who are 21-65 years of age inclusively
- 1-36 months after completion of radiation or chemotherapy for breast cancer
- Symptoms of chronic insomnia that started at the time of breast cancer diagnosis Speak and write English
Participants will:
- Carefully read and sign a consent form
- Participate in an initial interview and six weekly, individual sessions to improve insomnia. The sessions will be conducted in person and by phone and will last from 15-30 minutes
- Complete “paper and pencil” surveys before the start of the sessions, at the end of the sessions and at three and six months after the sessions
- Keep a daily sleep diary during the six week sessions
- Wear a wristwatch (called an actigraphy watch) that measures body movement during the six week sessions. (The actigraphy watch is a lightweight, harmless device that most people don’t even realize they are wearing after a day or two).
If you agree to participate, you will be in the study for up to six months.
Compensation is provided. COMIRB # 07-0924. If you want to participate or have questions about the study, please contact Dr. Ellyn Matthews, ellyn.matthews@ucdenver.edu, 303-724-8552.
Awareness of male breast cancer study
(July 15, 2008) Researchers seek English-speaking males, age 30 to 60, who've never been told they have breast cancer but who have a family member who has or had breast cancer. A nurse researcher will conduct an hour-long interview with participants to discuss male breast cancer. If you are interested in participating in this research study, call Stephen at 720-261-2578 or Eileen at 303 724-8540. You will receive a token of appreciation for your time.
Principle Investigator: Eileen Thomas, PhD, RN. COMIRB #08-0165