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The Role of Behavioral and Psychosocial Science in Reducing Cancer Morbidity and Mortality

Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Correspondence: Thomas G. Burish, Ph.D., 221 Kirkland Hall, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37205, USA. Telephone: 615-322-3822; Fax: 615-322-7629; e-mail: thomas.g.burish{at}vanderbilt.edu

Abstract

Behavioral and psychosocial science has the potential to contribute much to the overall effort to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality and to improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their families. However, for a variety of reasons, including a lack of sustained funding for research and training and a lack of confidence by some in the potential payoff for investments in the area, this potential has not only not been realized but also not been adequately explored. A special subcommittee of "The March" Research Task Force studied research in this area and issued a report making several recommendations for future funding for psychosocial and behavioral research in cancer. This article reports those recommendations and the reasons the committee supported them.

Key Words. Psychosocial oncology • Behavioral science • Quality of life