Multiple Principal Investigators: Jessica G. LaRose, PhD, Bernard Fuemmeler, PhD, Brynn Sheehan, PhD

Funding Source: National Cancer Institute

Project Summary: This is an academic-public partnership between an interdisciplinary team of investigators from Virginia Commonwealth University, Old Dominion University, and Virginia’s U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-administered income-based housing communities. The overarching goal of the VA-ACCERT Center is to improve dissemination and implementation of cancer prevention programming within income-based communities and across the state to mitigate disparities in cancer risk and outcomes.

Principal Investigator: Gregory Hundley, MD
Co-Investigator: Alexander Lucas, PhD

Funding Source: National Cancer Institute

Project Summary: Breast cancer survivors increasingly experience morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular events that often result from chemotherapy. Our collaborative experienced investigators utilizing innovative methods implemented within the National Cancer Institute's Community Oncology Research Program will test whether an individually-tailored physical activity intervention, implemented while participants are receiving chemotherapy, can attenuate physical inactivity, reduce fatigue, and preserve exercise capacity, left ventricular function, and health-related quality of life, all metrics that are associated with or reduce cardiovascular risk. By fostering a lifestyle that maintains or increases physical activity and exercise capacity, this project seeks to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among breast cancer patients and thereby improve their overall survival and quality of life.

Principal Investigator: Ashlee Loughan, PhD
Co-Investigator: Autumn Lanoye, PhD

Funding Source: Department of Defense

Project Summary: This series of behavioral clinical trials will examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an evidence-based existential psychotherapy (Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully [CALM]) among patients with high-grade gliomas and metastatic brain cancer.

Principal Investigator: Ashlee Loughan, PhD
Co-Investigator: Autumn Lanoye, PhD

Funding Source: Department of Defense

Project Summary: This is a randomized controlled pilot trail of telehealth cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia among individuals with glioma.

Principal Investigator: Sarah Braun, PhD
Co-Investigator: Autumn Lanoye, PhD

Funding Source: American Cancer Society

Project Summary: This is a single-arm trial to assess the feasibility and acceptability of C-SMART, a tailored cognitive rehabilitation intervention for patients with brain tumor.

Principal Investigator: Ashlee Loughan, PhD, Sarah Braun, PhD
Co-Investigator: Autumn Lanoye, PhD

Funding Source: National Brain Tumor Society

Project Summary: This is a pilot feasibility trail of a novel dyadic psychological intervention to reduce fear of cancer recurrence/progression among patients with primary malignant brain tumors and their caregivers.

Principal Investigators: Ashlee Loughan, PhD, Sarah Braun, PhD
Co-Investigator: Autumn Lanoye, PhD

Funding Source: National Cancer Institute

Project Summary: This is a pilot feasibility trial of a novel psychological intervention to reduce fear of cancer recurrence/progression among patients with primary malignant brain tumors and their caregivers.

Multiple Principal Investigator: Autumn Lanoye, PhD

Funding Source: American Cancer Society

Project Summary: This is a single-arm pilot trial of a novel lifestyle intervention targeting dietary quality, physical activity, sleep, and stress among emerging adult cancer survivors in order to reduce chronic inflammation.

Multiple Principal Investigator: Vanessa Sheppard, Ph.D.
Co-Investigator: Maghboeba Mosavel, Ph.D.

Funding Source: National Cancer Institute

Project Summary: 

The main goal of the SUCCEED program, a collaboration between Virginia State University (VSU) and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, is to improve cancer outcomes for people in Virginia and to be a leader in research on cancer disparities. The Cancer Research and Education Program (CREP) aims to:

1. Enhance cancer education for diverse faculty and postdoctoral scholars
2. Develop a program to address cancer health disparities and create opportunities for undergraduate students
3. Increase awareness and understanding of cancer resources and local activities

The program promotes engagement between community members and researchers at VSU and MCC to support and advance cancer health disparities research.

Principal Investigators: Maria D. Thomson, PhD & Vanessa B. Sheppard, PhD

The objective of this research project is to establish a research registry dedicated to collecting information on key cancer risk reducing behaviors and stimulate dedicated cancer prevention and control research among members of Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and other NCI-Designated Centers.

Where you live can have important influences on the types of risks that are important to you and your health. For example, we know that some areas in Virginia have higher than expected rates of cancer. The information that we gather in this research will allow us to better understand which behaviors and environmental factors may be contributing to high cancer rates in these areas. From this information, we can develop better cancer prevention and control information, programs and services.

Principal Investigators: Jessica G. LaRose, PhD and Carmina Valle, PhD, MPH
Co-Investigator: Autumn Lanoye, PhD

Funding Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Project Summary: This is a randomized clinical trial conducted in partnership with an AYA advisory board. The goal is to test the comparative efficacy of a comprehensive theory-based mHealth lifestyle intervention designed specifically for AYA survivors which includes tailored feedback based on behavioral patterns, cancer specific symptoms, and social drivers of health, compared to a self-guided control arm receiving digital tools, peer support, and education only. 

Principal Investigator: Vanessa Sheppard, PhD

Funding Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Project Description: Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer for Black women. Black women suffer from more aggressive forms of breast cancer (e.g. triple-negative breast cancer) and higher mortality and recurrence rates than their White counterparts. Additionally, Black women, specifically young Black women, have the highest prevalence of BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, which significantly increases their lifetime risk of developing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). While genetic cancer risk assessments for women at high risk of carrying a mutation inform treatment for survivors and risk management decisions in unaffected women, Black women underutilize this resource when compared to White women. The reasons for disparities in genetic counseling and testing are multifaceted (e.g. access, lack of knowledge); however, studies indicate that increasing access and awareness alone may be insufficient to address disparities. Addressing cultural and psychosocial factors may enhance uptake of genetic counseling and testing. Culturally appropriate information is needed.  

Our experienced multidisciplinary team will conduct a risk communication intervention designed to target emotions and cultural values. Guided by the two evidenced-based theories (Theory of Planned Behavior, Social Cognitive Theory) and our preliminary data, we will conduct a two-phase mixed methods study. In Phase I we will develop a narrative YouTube video intervention that will target key psychosocial factors. In Phase II we will pilot the intervention in Black women at risk of HBOC. Women will be randomized either the YouTube video arm (n=25) or a Print education arm (n=25); all women will be contacted by a scheduler to make an appointment for genetic counseling. Our primary outcome is genetic counseling at 3-months following the receipt of the intervention or print materials; secondary outcomes include psychosocial factors (e.g. knowledge, self-efficacy).

This study meets the Healthy People 2020 goals to enhance GCT in at-risk populations, and the national priorities to increase diversity in genetics research participation while incorporating emotions into cancer research.  Findings will inform new strategies for behavioral interventions targeting Black women at risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and will inform a future multicenter trial.  

Principal Investigator: Vanessa B. Sheppard, PhD

Funding Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Project Summary: Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center (MCC) will serve as the primary component site for an NCORP Minority/Underserved Community Site award in partnership with nine collaborating community component sites. The overall objectives of this partnership are to extend novel, innovative and effective minority recruitment approaches to an expanded base of community component sites, increase opportunities for minority and medically underserved individuals to participate in cancer clinical trial research (CCTR) and to integrate cancer care delivery research (CCDR) into the overall MB-NCORP.