Peer-to-Peer Support Program in Improving Quality of Life Outcomes in Patients With Gynecologic Cancer and Their Caregivers

Quality of Life Outcomes From a Peer-to-Peer Support Program for Women With Gynecologic Cancer

This pilot clinical trial studies a peer-to-peer support program in improving quality of life outcomes in patients with gynecologic cancer and their caregivers. Peer-to-peer support and mentoring may help improve quality of life and reduce symptoms of distress in gynecologic cancer patients and their families.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To test the feasibility and acceptability of a Woman-to-Woman (W2W) program for patients with gynecologic cancer at City of Hope (COH). Address the following descriptive research questions: were patients, mentors, and patients' family caregivers satisfied with the timing, format, and content of the program? Did the program benefit patients, mentors, and patients' family caregivers?

OUTLINE:

Patients participate in the W2W program for which they are matched with a trained mentor and followed throughout treatment by phone, email, and/or in person.

After completion of study, patients are followed up at 6 and 12 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• PATIENT PARTICIPANTS
• Patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent gynecologic cancer (ovarian, uterine, cervical, vaginal, vulvar) actively undergoing treatment (chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy) at COH (including Duarte and South Pasadena campuses)
• English-speaking patients
• PEER MENTORS
• Peer mentors will be past gynecologic cancer patients not currently undergoing treatment for their cancer, and considered without evidence of disease
• Over age 18
• PEER MENTORS: English-speaking patients
• This study is open to patients of all races and ethnicities

Exclusion Criteria:

• PEER MENTORS:
• Major psychiatric disease
• Currently undergoing treatment for active gynecologic cancer