SCIENTIFIC REPORT 2004 - Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

C A N C E R P R E V E N T I O N A N D C O N T R O L P R O G R A M
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2002
Antoni, MH, Cruess, DG, Klimas, N, Maher, K,
Cruess, S, Kumar, M, Lutgendorf, S, Ironson, G,
Schneiderman, N, and Fletcher, MA. Stress management
and immune system reconstitution in
symptomatic HIV-infected gay men over time:
effects on transitional naive T cells
(CD4(+)CD45RA(+)CD29(+)). American Journal
of Psychiatry 159:143-5, 2002.
Ironson, G, Solomon, GF, Balbin, EG,
O’Cleirigh, C, George, A, Kumar, M, Larson, D,
and Woods, TE. The Ironson-Woods Spirituality/
Religiousness Index is associated with long survival,
health behaviors, less distress, and low cortisol
in people with HIV/AIDS. Annals of
Behavioral Medicine 24:34-48, 2002.
Kumar, M, Kumar, AM, Waldrop, D, Antoni,
MH, Schneiderman, N, and Eisdorfer, C.
The HPA axis in HIV-1 infection. Journal of
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 31
Supplement 2:S89-93, 2002
2003
Mitchell, A and Kumar, M. Psychological coping
and cancer. Search strategy used is inadequate.
British Medical Journal 326:598; author reply
598, 2003.
HIGHLIGHTS/DISCOVERIES
• Made available urinary, blood, and salivary cortisol
measurements that help in the understanding
of the acute and more enduring effects of
this form of stress management on different
cancer populations studied at UM/Sylvester.
• Installed a real time polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) facility, which has been used to quantify
viral loads for HPV 16 and 18 sub-strains in
HIV+ women at-risk for cervical neoplasia in
one CPOR project. In fact, viral loads samples
have been obtained from the participants.
SUZANNE C. LECHNER, PH.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and
Behavioral Sciences
DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH
Dr. Lechner’s research in psycho-oncology
focuses on two different themes: positive
adaptation to breast cancer and the causes of late
presentation to clinic following the detection of a
breast cancer symptom. With regard to the first,
Dr. Lechner is involved in clinical trials and correlational
research studies to examine how people
adjust to illness, and whether there are variables
that can predict which patients will adapt well
and which will require psychotherapeutic intervention.
Within the context of all of these studies,
she is interested in the complex relationships
between positive adjustment and psychosocial
and immunological/endocrine variables. The
laboratory’s ongoing clinical intervention studies
are examining the effects of a ten-week cognitivebehavioral
stress management (CBSM) intervention
versus a one-day stress management seminar
on immunological, endocrine, and psychological
outcomes for women with early stage breast cancer.
In addition, Dr. Lechner is the primary investigator
of another ongoing correlational research
study, funded by the American Psychological Association
Division 38, which will examine the
correlates and consequences of benefit-finding
(i.e., the belief that having cancer has led to positive
life changes, such as better relationships with
family and friends, a stronger sense of self-efficacy,
and personal strength and redirected
priorities).
Dr. Lechner’s research also focuses on another
topic: delayed presentation to clinic following
the detection of a breast cancer symptom.
Early detection and treatment has been shown to
result in a significant reduction in breast cancer
mortality. In spite of the importance of early detection,
some women delay seeking consultation
after they detect a suspicious breast cancer symp-
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UM/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Scientific Report 2004