Several MS patients who are dually diagnosed with cancer are applying to participate in LiveAble, a two-year study funded by the National Cancer Institute.
This study concentrates on cancer survivors with pre-existing functional impairments due to any physical and emotional disabling conditions such as multiple sclerosis, brain injury, polio, spinal cord injury and depression. This study will look into health-promoting behaviors and quality of life among persons, who because of pre-existing medical conditions, may explain how cancer diagnosis and treatment is affecting their on-going challenges.
According to Heather Becker, Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing, the study will help medical professionals understand how cancer survivors who had a functional limitation or disability prior to being diagnosed with cancer take care of their health.
Sook Jung Kang, Graduate research assistant and doctoral student at The University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing, is leading the study.
"I think it is really important to understand how people who have functional limitation dealt with an additional load. We would like to share the results as much as possible when we finish the study and develop intervention," wrote Kang.
Margaret Barney, Director of the MSplus Foundation, said, "This is the first study I have heard of that focuses on cancer survivors who also have another medical condition such as MS. I am very excited about the study.
"The research group needs more participants, and I encourage anyone with MS who also is a cancer survivor to consider participating."
The link to the study is: www.utexas.edu/nursing/html/research/news/09/cancer.html
by Carol Smith
