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Promoting Wellness Across the Lifespan for Cancer Survivors (2025-2026)

There are over 18 million cancer survivors in the United States, a number that is increasing. As survivors live longer, they experience serious challenges to their well-being.

The Promoting Wellness Across the Lifespan for Cancer Survivors project looked at two vulnerable groups: the elderly and adolescents/young adults. For older survivors, geriatric issues arise, such as high symptom burden, the simultaneous use of multiple drugs and ageism. For adolescent and young adult survivors, sexual and reproductive health are common areas of concern that are often under-addressed.

The team devised two studies to examine the unique needs of each of these groups.

Study 1: Team members conducted qualitative interviews with medical providers who care for older women with comorbid breast cancer and diabetes, in order to develop a multi-level intervention and support group to be formed in Fall 2026.

Study 2: Team members conducted patient and provider stakeholder interviews to refine previously developed female adolescent and young adult (AYA) sexual health educational materials to include male AYA cancer survivors. The team then conducted rapid qualitative analysis of interviews with male AYAs. Feedback from participants allowed the team to further refine the program.

Timing

Fall 2025 – Spring 2026

Team Outputs

Promoting Wellness Across the Lifespan for Cancer Survivors (Poster presentation at the Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase, April 15, 2026)

Poster Presentation (Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer conference; Melbourne, Australia; June, 2026)

Poster Presentation (Duke Psychiatry Research Day; Durham, NC; May, 2026)

Poster Presentation (Society for Behavioral Medicine annual conference; Chicago, IL; April, 2026)

Poster Presentation (Duke National Health Research Conference; Durham, NC; February, 2026)

Poster Presentation (Duke Cancer Institute Scientific Retreat; Durham, NC; December, 2025)

Manuscript under review (Journal of Geriatric Oncology)

Two manuscripts in progress

Patient educational materials (pamphlets, workbooks, manuals)

See related teams, Promoting Wellness Across the Lifespan for Cancer Survivors (2024-2025) and Addressing Women’s Wellbeing Across the Lifespan (2026-2027).

Team Leaders

  • Nicole Arrato, School of Medicine, School of Medicine: Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine: Psychiatry: Behavioral Medicine
  • Caroline Dorfman, School of Medicine, School of Medicine: Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine: Psychiatry: Behavioral Medicine
  • Rebecca Shelby, School of Medicine, School of Medicine: Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine: Psychiatry: Behavioral Medicine
  • Juliann Stalls, School of Medicine, School of Medicine: Psychiatry: Behavioral Medicine

Graduate Team Members

  • Louise Adillon, Theological Studies-MTS
  • Bre Barrett, Global Health - MS

Undergraduate Team Members

  • Ashley Currie, Chemistry (BS)
  • Anika Dhuler, Biology (BS)
  • Navya Kancharla, Biology (BS)
  • Kate Lee, Chemistry (BS)
  • Florine Lijesen, Evolutionary Anthropology (BS)
  • Katie Maddock, Psychology (BS); Public Policy (AB2)
  • Phuong Ngu, Biology (BS)
  • Ananya Pinnamaneni, Program II (AB); Global Health (AB2)
  • Cody Powell, Biology (BS)
  • Daliya Rizvi, Program II (BS)
  • Ali Wilson, Psychology (BS); Gender Sexuality & Fem St(AB2)

Team Contributors

  • Laura Alder, School of Medicine
  • Karen Baker, School of Medicine
  • Harvey Jay Cohen, School of Medicine, School of Medicine: Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development
  • Jacklyn Ornelas, School of Medicine
  • Zachary Tally, School of Medicine

Themes