Describing Asian American Well-being and Needs in cancer (DAWN) Study

Project Background: The DAWN (Describing Asian American Well-being & Needs in cancer) Study was launched because very few projects address metastatic cancer survivorship, and Asian Americans have been vastly understudied over the history of National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded research.

Project Aims: The aim of this project is to improve the quality of life of Asian Americans living with metastatic cancer (cancer that spread from where it first started to a distant part of the body, often called Stage 4). We seek to learn what healthcare providers, patients and caregivers have experienced, and what might bring patients a greater peace of mind. What our participants shared will help improve patient care and help develop interventions for others in similar situations.

Study Design: We have conducted 3 focus groups and 5 key informant interviews for healthcare providers and recruited Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese American adults living in the U.S. who was diagnosed with metastatic solid tumor cancer. The 3-part study for patients and caregivers asked about how patients are living with metastatic cancer, how they have faced cancer, their symptoms and psychological needs and social circumstance. The study also asked about participants’ opinions about potential psychosocial interventions so that future research can work on developing useful, culturally and linguistically appropriate resources for people diagnosed with metastatic cancer. Participants completed demographic and cancer history questions, a phone/Zoom interview, and a paper/online survey. Although many research projects do not include non-English speakers, to be more inclusive, our interaction and materials were provided in English, Mandarin/Cantonese, Korean, and Vietnamese.

Project Funding: This study is funded by the National Institutes of Health-National Cancer Institute (K99CA246058) and also supported by the UCLA Institute for American Cultures – Asian American Studies Center.

Findings & Related Publications: Stay tuned!

Expert Advisors

Annette L. Stanton, PhD
(UCLA)

Dr. Stanton is the Distinguished Professor and Chair of Psychology, Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences/UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Senior Research Scientist at the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology. Her research centers on specifying factors that promote psychological and physical health in individuals who confront health-related adversity. In the area of psychosocial oncology, she conducts longitudinal research to understand the quality of life of individuals diagnosed with or at risk for a range of cancers (e.g., breast, eye, lung, and prostate). Her research findings are translated into effective interventions for individuals living with cancer through randomized controlled trials.

More about Dr. Stanton: Stanton Stress & Coping lab

Qian Lu, MD, PhD
(University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Dr. Lu is a Professor in the Department of Cancer Prevention and Control. As a health psychologist, she studies the psychological rehabilitation and intervention of Asian cancer patients, the rehabilitation of childhood cancer patients, the physiological and psychological influencing factors of pain, and how to promote the rehabilitation of chronic diseases by regulating emotions.

More about Dr. Lu: https://faculty.mdanderson.org/profiles/qian_lu.html

Marjorie Kagawa Singer, PhD, MA, MN, RN, FAAN
(UCLA)

Dr. Kagawa Singer is a Research Professor in the Fielding School of Public Health, Faculty Associate in the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, and Interim Director of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center. For 45 years, she has focused on research to reduce and ultimately help eliminate health disparities. Dr. Kagawa Singer’s research also identifies cultural factors related to health behaviors, particularly with individuals and families dealing with cancer and other chronic diseases.

More about Dr. Kagawa Singer: https://ph.ucla.edu/faculty/kagawa-singer

Anna S. Lau, PhD
(UCLA)

Dr. Lau is a Professor in Psychology. Dr. Lau’s research includes understanding the mental health of culturally diverse populations and how evidence based treatments are implemented in the community. Her ongoing research considers risk and protective factors for Asian American immigrant families, in order to implement interventions for depression and other mental health conditions.

More about Dr. Lau: Culture And Race/Ethnicity in Youth Mental Health lab

Interviewers