FOCUS ON US: Adapting the FOCUS Program for Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Cancer Patients and Caregivers

FOCUS ON US: Adapting the FOCUS Program for Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Cancer Patients and Caregivers

Our aim for this study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability and explore potential outcomes of the adapted FOCUS On Us intervention in a two-arm pilot trial. The investigators will randomize 80 sexual and/or gender minority (SGM; e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, etc.) cancer patients and their ≥80 informal caregivers (total N≥160) to either FOCUS On Us (adapted from the evidence-based FOCUS program) or a waitlist control.

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients must:

1. have been diagnosed or had a biochemical recurrence or progression of any invasive (e.g., Stage ≥1) cancer within the past 24 months;
2. have at least one informal (unpaid) caregiver willing to participate in the program;
3. identify as a sexual and/or gender minority (SGM) OR have a caregiver who identifies as SGM (e.g., either the patient or caregiver(s) must be SGM);
4. be age 18 or older;
5. be able to complete all written and oral components of the study in English;
6. provide informed consent;
7. live in the United States.

Caregivers must:

1. self-report having provided support for a cancer patient as an informal (unpaid) caregiver;
2. have a cancer patient for whom they provided support willing to participate in the program;
3. identify as a sexual and/or gender minority (SGM) OR have provided support to a patient who identifies as SGM (e.g., either the patient or caregiver(s) must be SGM);
4. be age 18 or older;
5. be able to complete all written and oral components of the study in English;
6. provide informed consent;
7. live in the United States