A Study of the Life Changes Experienced by Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to better understand what types of transitions people with pancreatic cancer face when they receive chemotherapy. Again, this study defines transition as a change in a life situation or a status that causes a change in a person's identity, role, behavior, or personal relationships. Examples of transitions include changes in sleeping habits, anxiety, employment, relationship with a higher power, and treatment goals.

Official Title
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Health-Illness Transition Experiences Among Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

Conditions
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Pancreatic Cancer

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Measurement of Transitions in Cancer Scale (MOT-CA) Survey
* Behavioral: Distress Thermometer Survey


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: adult patients 18 years of age and older primary language listed as English in electronic medical record biopsy proven diagnosis of pancreatic cancer within three months after initiating a chemotherapy regimen at the Rockefeller Outpatient Pavilion at MSKCC (patient may have previously received chemotherapy at an outside institution or may have received previous chemotherapy regimens at MSKCC). Exclusion Criteria: previous history of cancer within the past five years, except for non-melanoma skin cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer, and thyroid cancer.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| pancreatic cancer health-illness transition<br>In this prospective longitudinal correlational study, a convenience sample of patients with pancreatic cancer receiving chemotherapy will be asked to report on their health-illness transition experiences and their level of distress. | Behavioral: Measurement of Transitions in Cancer Scale (MOT-CA) Survey<br>* These surveys will take 5-10 minutes to complete at two time-points, T0 (baseline) and T1 (four to six weeks after baseline visit) The patient will again complete the DT and MOT-CA at a chemotherapy treatment or clinic visit, if possible, or via a telephone call with the principal investigator in the event that there are no in-person visits scheduled (Time 1).<br>Behavioral: Distress Thermometer Survey<br>* These surveys will take 5-10 minutes to complete at two time-points, T0 (baseline) and T1 (four to six weeks after baseline visit).The patient will again complete the DT and MOT-CA at a chemotherapy treatment or clinic visit, if possible, or via a telephone call with the principal investigator in the event that there are no in-person visits scheduled (Time 1).<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Extent of the change experienced by patients with pancreatic cancer | Descriptive statistics will be calculated at both time points using (part A on the MOT-CA) for each of the seven transition domains (physical, emotional, social, spiritual, cancer status, treatment, and approach) at both time points (Time 0 and Time 1). | 4 to 6 weeks after baseline | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Quality of Life, Health-Illness Transition, 20-038