Psycho-Educational Program in Increasing Knowledge and Satisfaction and Decreasing Distress in Younger Patients With Cancer Receiving Treatment

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Providing a psycho-educational group to young adults while examining the feasibility of
such a group with patients on treatment.

II. Examining effectiveness of the program through evaluating pre-post changes in
participant distress, evaluating increases in participant' knowledge regarding disease
issues and coping, and evaluating participant satisfaction.

OUTLINE:

Patients undergo psycho-educational program comprising medical/symptom management and
communication with a medical team, coping skills, self image, and relationships and
communication for 1.5 hours once weekly for 6 weeks.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up for 30 days.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Currently in active treatment (diagnosed and receiving treatment within 2 weeks of
initial study enrollment; active treatment includes currently receiving any of the
following: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, maintenance drugs, surgery, clinical
trial enrollment, or current relapse/secondary malignancy)

- Inpatient or outpatient

- Cancer diagnosis

- Physician approval

- Informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

- Significant psychiatric or developmental issues, as determined by screening interview
conducted by psychologist or clinical social worker

- Currently off treatment (longer than 2 weeks at the time of enrollment)

- In isolation or with isolation precautions

- Non-English speaking