The Behavioral Health Science Award supports innovative research and high-reward studies that span the spectrum of behavioral health science, including quality of life, symptom management, resilience, neurocognitive deficits, and psychosocial issues related to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Studies must address one or more of these critical issues in at least one of the FY21 PRCRP Topic Areas. Proposed research should focus on at least one of the stages of survivorship as characterized by the American Society for Clinical Oncology: acute, extended, and/or permanent (https://www.cancer.net/survivorship/what-survivorship, https://www.asco.org/sites/new-www.asco.org/files/content-files/practice-and-guidelines/documents/ASCO-guidelines-summary-of-recommendations-tables.pdf).
The overall goal of the Behavioral Health Science Award is to advance behavioral health cancer science and fill gaps in the understanding of survivorship, including investigations into the psychological health and well-being of those affected by cancer (e.g., patients, family members). This may include investigations into studies that improve mental health and/or cancer-related outcomes in defined populations. Studies also may assess the relationship(s) between behavioral and social functioning in relation to cancer initiation, progression, detection, treatment, and rehabilitation. Applications may propose behavioral science that examines quality of life studies, decision-making and/or cognitive function research, development and testing of educational interventions, and symptom management (e.g., toxicity of treatment, palliative care, psychological distress and anxiety). Applications may target development of evidence-based practices, behavioral health science interventions and surveillance, and identification of psychosocial patient outcomes.