February 3-5, 2016 | Lansdowne Resort, Leesburg, VA

Chanita Hughes Halbert, PhDProfessor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science

Endowed Chair for Cancer Equity

Associate Dean for Assessment and Evaluation

Medical University of South Carolina

Behavioral Science Perspectives on Cancer

Survivorship

1. Don’t smoke

2. Avoid second hand smoke

3. Exercise regularly

4. Avoid weight gain

5. Eat healthy diet

6. Drink alcohol in moderation

7. Stay connected with family, friends, other survivors

8. Get screening and medical care

Wolin, Dart, Colditz. Cancer Causes Control. 2013;24:827-37

17.8

7.2

23.818.4

44

19.2

48.6

37.6

20

39.4

17.4

26.4

15

31.4

7.6

15

0

20

40

60

80

100

Everything causescancer

Cannot lowerchances

Too manyrecommendations

Cancer death

Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree

Public Perspectives about Cancer

Health

Information

National Trends

Survey

5% of survivors met all recommended guidelines

Key Behavioral Science Questions

How to promote lifestyle changes and weight loss in cancer survivors

What are the most effective methods for intervention delivery

Who does and does not benefit from interventions

What mechanisms lead to behavioral change

Theory at a Glance

A Guide for Health

Promotion Practice

Behavior Change Interventions

Behavior change is difficult

Access to resources for behavior change ends once study is over

Interventions might not target most important variables

Expectations about the magnitude of behavior change are not

realistic

Too much information may be presented as part of interventions

Future Research Questions

Basic biobehavioral research on health information processing

Evaluate pre-rehabilitation interventions

Dissemination and implementation of lifestyle interventions to

community organizations

Determine effects of survivorship care plans on lifestyle behaviors

Evaluate impact of interventions on cancer health disparities