Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children and adolescents in North America. For adolescents, a diagnosis of cancer comes at a particularly vulnerable developmental stage in their lives. Phase I focus group interviews indicated that these adolescents are adamant about wanting to know and learn about all aspects of their disease and how it will impact their lives. Unfortunately, few educational tools exist for these young cancer patients, particularly those with solid tumors, and none are in an interactive format. This application seeks funding to complete and evaluate a multimedia CD-ROM for 12-18 year-olds with solid tumors to teach them about their disease, treatment, and coping strategies. A combination of text, videos, animations/graphics, voice-overs, music, and games will creatively relay important information in an interactive and non-threatening manner. This innovative product is the first of its kind, focusing on solid tumors. It will be evaluated in a randomized pre-post design against a """"""""usual care"""""""" print handbook to determine its effect on coping skills, feelings of control over health, knowledge about solid tumors and their treatment, satisfaction, and acceptability. Once developed, the CD-ROM will be marketed so that it will be available to all adolescents with solid tumors.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
2R44CA086686-02A1
Application #
6582654
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SSS-D (10))
Program Officer
Dresser, Connie M
Project Start
2000-08-01
Project End
2005-01-31
Budget Start
2003-02-21
Budget End
2004-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$466,027
Indirect Cost
Name
Degge Group, Ltd.
Department
Type
DUNS #
188606842
City
Arlington
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
22209
Jones, Judith K; Kamani, Sharmila A; Bush, Patricia J et al. (2010) Development and evaluation of an educational interactive CD-ROM for teens with cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 55:512-9