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Adapting and Testing a Novel Self-Compassion Intervention to Reduce Lung Cancer Stigma

Award Number: R00CA256351
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2026

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Adapting and Testing a Novel Self-Compassion Intervention to Reduce Lung Cancer Stigma - Project Summary Given advances in screening and treatment, the number of people in the U.S. living with lung cancer is expected to increase by 25% (from 571,340 to 724,610) by 2030. Nearly all (95%) patients diagnosed with lung cancer report experiencing stigma (i.e., the perception and internalization of negative appraisal from others attributed to one’s lung cancer), which is perhaps the most prominent psychosocial issue in this population and contributes to poor psychological and physical health outcomes. A critical gap in the field of cancer control science is the lack of empirically supported patient-focused interventions that target the reduction of lung cancer stigma for this growing patient population. The goals of this K99/R00 are to adapt the existing Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) psychosocial intervention to address anticipated delivery challenges and target the reduction of lung cancer stigma as well as to seek preliminary evidence for the efficacy of the adapted MSC intervention in reducing lung cancer stigma. The K99 study will involve a two-phase process of 1) conducting stakeholder focus groups to guide the iterative adaptation of MSC intervention activities and materials and 2) conducting in-depth interviews with lung cancer patients to explore patients’ reactions to intervention content and preferences for format and delivery. The R00 study will involve a two-phase process of 1) conducting a pilot RCT (n=60) to test preliminary efficacy of the adapted MSC intervention on primary (lung cancer stigma) and secondary outcomes (depressive symptoms, quality of life) and 2) conducting interviews with purposively sampled high responders (n=10) and non-responders (n=10) from the MSC condition (assessed post-intervention) to examine participants’ reactions to study participation. The overall objective of this K99/R00 is to provide Dr. Williamson with additional training and mentorship to become an independent cancer control investigator translating findings from basic behavioral scientific research into the development of tailored psychosocial interventions for cancer patients. Training aims include: 1) Psychosocial intervention development and adaptation in cancer; 2) advanced qualitative and mixed-methods design and analysis; 3) translational psychological research (synergy between basic and applied health science); 4) delivery of mindfulness- and compassion-based interventions in cancer care; and 5) professional development. Dr. Williamson is mentored by Dr. Jamie Ostroff at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center along with expert support from co-mentors (Drs. Lisa Carter-Harris and Jun Mao) and other significant contributors (Dr. Christopher Germer, Ms. Kathleen Lynch), who are all committed to Dr. Williamson’s career development. The proposed training plan will facilitate Dr. Williamson’s transition to independence as a cancer control investigator conducting a programmatic line of research that 1) characterizes disease-specific challenges of understudied cancer groups and 2) translates findings from basic behavioral research into tailored psychosocial interventions that address such challenges and ultimately enhance quality of life.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2025	2024	LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY	1 LMU DR	LOS ANGELES	CA	90045	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	5	7/22/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $269,607 )
2024	2024	LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY	1 LMU DR	LOS ANGELES	CA	90045	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	5	8/9/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$248,835
2024	2024	LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY	1 LMU DR	LOS ANGELES	CA	90045	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	001	5	8/21/2024	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$20,772
														Subtotal = $269,607

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $284,881 )
2023	2023	LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY	1 LMU DR UHALL STE 4900	LOS ANGELES	CA	90045	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	004	4	7/27/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$135,433
2023	2023	LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY	1 LMU DR UHALL STE 4900	LOS ANGELES	CA	90045	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	002	3	6/6/2023	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$7,608
2023	2023	LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY	1 LMU DR UHALL STE 4900	LOS ANGELES	CA	90045	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	005	4	8/3/2023	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$28,380
2023	2022	LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY	1 LMU DR UHALL STE 4900	LOS ANGELES	CA	90045	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	3	12/9/2022	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$0
2023	2022	LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY	1 LMU DR	LOS ANGELES	CA	90045	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	003	3	6/13/2023	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$113,460
2023	2022	LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY	1 LMU DR UHALL STE 4900	LOS ANGELES	CA	90045	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	001	3	12/16/2022	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$0
														Subtotal = $284,881

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $248,895 )
2022	2022	LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY	1 LMU DR UHALL STE 4900	LOS ANGELES	CA	90045	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	3	8/8/2022	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$248,895
														Subtotal = $248,895

Grand Total All Awards = $803,383

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Adapting and Testing a Novel Self-Compassion Intervention to Reduce Lung Cancer Stigma

Award Number: R00CA256351

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2026

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