Research
Psychosocial Factors In Preventive Health And Cancer Treatment Related Adjustment Disorders
Psychosocial Factors In Preventive Health And Cancer Treatment Related Adjustment DisordersOne area of research focuses on screening for colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is one of the most preventable, but least prevented cancers. With collaborations in the Department of Gastroenterology, DuHamel and her colleagues are investigating what prevents people from participating in the recommended CRC screening practices. Information gained from this research will be used to develop methods to increase CRC screening.\r\n
Another research project focuses on adjustment problems in survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) including bone marrow transplantation (BMT) used in the treatment of their leukemia. The research of Katherine DuHamel, Ph.D. and her colleagues has shown that many survivors of BMT experience some symptoms of a stress reaction. Thirteen percent of BMT survivors had severe stress responses similar to those found in survivors of traumas such as rape, combat, or burn injury. A current clinical trial is evaluating psychological intervention designed specifically to reduce cancer survivors' stress symptoms after HSCT.
In collaboration with her colleagues in cancer prevention and control as well as Mt. Sinai's Pain Management and Medical Oncology divisions, another area of investigation focused on how to decrease metastatic breast cancer patients' pain. Poor communication between patients and their physicians as been identified as a key barrier to metastatic breast cancer patients' adequate pain management. Dr. DuHamel helped develop a pain communication skills intervention to improve patient-physician communication.
Industry Relationships
Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device and biotechnology companies to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their relationships with such companies.
Dr.DuHamel is not currently required to report Industry relationships.
Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website at http://icahn.mssm.edu/about-us/services-and-resources/faculty-resources/handbooks-and-policies/faculty-handbook. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.