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Evaluation of the efficacy and usability of NCI’s Facing Forward booklet in the cancer community setting

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Abstract

Introduction

The NCI developed the print-based educational brochure, Facing Forward, to fill a gap in helping cancer patients meet the challenges of transitioning from active treatment to survivorship; however, little research has been conducted on its efficacy.

Purpose

The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of Facing Forward in promoting the uptake of recommended behaviors (e.g., ways to manage physical changes) and to explore its usability.

Methods

At the last treatment appointment, early-stage breast, prostate, colorectal, and thoracic cancer patients (N = 340) recruited from community clinical oncology practices and an academic medical center completed a baseline assessment and were randomized to receive either Facing Forward (n = 175) or an attention control booklet about the NCI’s Cancer Information Service (n = 165). Patients completed follow-up assessments at 8 weeks and 6 months post-baseline.

Results

The reported uptake of recommended stress management behaviors was greater among intervention than control participants at both 8 weeks post-baseline (p = 0.016) and 6 months post-baseline (p = 0.017). At 8 weeks post-baseline, the intervention control group difference was greater among African-American than Caucasian participants (p < 0.03) and significant only among the former (p < 0.003); attendance at a cancer support group was also greater among the intervention than control group participants (p < 0.02). There were no significant intervention control group differences in the reported uptake of recommended behaviors in three other categories (p > 0.025). Intervention participants rated Facing Forward as understandable and helpful and indicated a high level of intention to try the behaviors recommended.

Conclusions

Facing Forward can enhance early-stage survivors’ reported ability to manage stress and increase support group use during the reentry period.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Facing Forward can help survivors meet the challenges of the reentry period.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by National Institute of Health grants R01 CA104979, 5P01 CA057586, and the Fox Chase Cancer Center Behavioral Research Core Facility P30 CA06927, as well as Department of Defense grants DAMD 17-01-01-1-0238 and DAMD 17-02-1-0382 and the LAF PT07-07020 grant. We are indebted to Mary Anne Ryan for her technical assistance.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research & Training Institute, Cancer Support Community, 4100 Chamounix Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19131, USA

    Joanne S. Buzaglo

  2. Psychosocial and Biobehavioral Medicine Department, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Robert C. Young Pavilion, 4th Floor, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA

    Suzanne M. Miller

  3. Psychosocial Oncology Program, UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center, 2201 Inwood Rd, Dallas, TX, 75390-8590, USA

    Jeffery Kendall

  4. Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry/Biobehavioral Sciences, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research, University of California Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA

    Annette L. Stanton

  5. Psychosocial and Biobehavioral Medicine Department, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Robert C. Young Pavilion, 4th Floor, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA

    Kuang-Yi Wen & John Scarpato

  6. Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Reiman Building, 3rd Floor, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA

    Fang Zhu

  7. National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Fort Washington, PA, 19034, USA

    Jennifer Lyle

  8. Office of Cancer Survivorship, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, NIH/DHHS, 6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 404, MSC 8336, Bethesda, MD, 20892-8336, USA

    Julia Rowland

Authors
  1. Joanne S. Buzaglo
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  2. Suzanne M. Miller
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Correspondence to Suzanne M. Miller.

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Buzaglo, J.S., Miller, S.M., Kendall, J. et al. Evaluation of the efficacy and usability of NCI’s Facing Forward booklet in the cancer community setting. J Cancer Surviv 7, 63–73 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-012-0245-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-012-0245-7

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