Behavioral science research in the cooperative group setting: the Southwest Oncology Group experience.

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Abstract
Cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and continuing care require individuals to behave in specified ways, whether abstaining from certain behaviors (e.g., sun exposure) or adopting others (e.g., following recommendations for state-of-the-art treatment). Thus, behavior is one of the keys to controlling cancer. Much progress in cancer control has stemmed from behavioral research and interventions. For example, reductions in tobacco use are largely responsible for lower rates of lung cancer (1), and increased use of mammography has led to decreases in breast cancer mortality (2). Moreover, a recent meta-analysis of psychosocial interventions in adult cancer patients (3) concluded that such interventions have a positive effect on emotional, physical, and social outcomes. According to Dr. Richard Klausner (4), Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD, “behavioral research is fundamental to the mission of [NCI] and the broader social goal of reducing cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality.”

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