Our Research

The Center’s research activities are organized under four research focus areas

Biomedical Outcomes

The Biomedical Research Cluster focuses on physical outcomes related to anatomic structure and organ function. These include new or persisting adverse outcomes after treatment, also called “late effects,” such as cardiomyopathy, secondary cancers, hearing loss, neuropathy, infertility and fatigue, and how these impact measures of overall physical health. Biomedical outcomes are important for young adult cancer survivors because of their impact on quality of life and the long life trajectory of this population.

Biopsychosocial & Behavioral Outcomes

Due to their age and life stage, young adult cancer survivors are establishing a foundation of personal growth and independence. The Biopsychosocial and Behavioral Research Cluster focuses on outcomes related to quality of life and behavioral health including wellbeing, social isolation, and the impact of a cancer diagnosis on relationships, education, and employment.

Health Services

Young adult cancer survivors are at high risk for experiencing delays in care, financial challenges related to treatment, and inadequate health insurance coverage. The Health Services Research Cluster focuses on examining the effective delivery of appropriate care to young adult cancer survivors. Research areas include access to survivorship care, health insurance, health systems navigation, and quality of care.

Epidemiology & Population Science

The Epidemiology and Population Science Research Cluster focuses on describing and interpreting the patterns of cancer incidence and survival among young adults and their change over time. Southern California is one of the most diverse regions in the United States, which allows Center researchers to understand how cancer affects young adults from various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This effort is critical to identifying cancer disparities and extending the benefits of early cancer diagnosis and effective treatment to this at-risk population.

Studies

HACAA - Health and Community among Asian-Americans

Asian Americans are the fastest growing and largest immigrant group in the United States. The Health & Community among Asian Americans study will survey 350 Asian American young adult childhood cancer survivors using data from the California Cancer Registry. We aim to identify modifiable factors related to psychological, cultural, and neighborhood-level determinants of cancer- focused healthcare in this at-risk population.

PI: Kimberly Miller & Joel Milam

Funder: NIH/NCI (R01CA261888-01)

Social Health, Activity Behaviors, and Quality of Life among Young Adult Cancer Survivors

The Social Health Study is a longitudinal study which will recruit 200 young adult cancer patients from diverse backgrounds at USC hospitals. Over 12 months we will examine how their social health changes after a cancer diagnosis, and how such changes impacts young adult’s activity behaviors, symptom burden, and quality of life.

PI: Kimberly Miller

Funder: NIH/NCI (R37CA256867)

Project Milestones

Project Milestones is a study of young adult cancer survivors in Los Angeles County regarding their achievement of milestones of adulthood, well-being and health related quality of life, and risk and protective factors of cancer-related follow-up care.

PI: David Freyer & Joel Milam

Funder: NIH/NCI (R01CA237230)

Project Forward

Project Forward is a study of pediatric cancer survivors in Los Angeles County to assess their adherence and opinions regarding long-term follow-up care.

PI: Joel Milam

Funder: NIH/NIMHD (R01 MD007801-01A1)

Project CoRe

Project CoRe is a study of young adults with colorectal cancer to understand quality of life impacts and medical outcomes following a recent diagnosis.

PI: Kimberly Miller

Funder: The Aflac Archie Bleyer Young Investigator Award in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology, Children’s Oncology Group