Co-Leaders

Catherine Bender
Program: Biobehavioral Cancer Control
Summary
My two areas of research interest include the neuropsychological sequellae of cancer and cancer treatment and the physiological mechanisms underlying these problems and adherence to cancer therapy. More specifically, my research focuses on the changes in cognitive function and mood that occur in patients with cancer. I also examine whether the changes in reproductive hormones that occur as a consequence of cancer therapy are related to changes in cognitive function experienced by women with cancer, and we are investigating candidate genes for correlations with cognitive function in patients with cancer. I also study adherence to therapy in patients with cancer and other chronic conditions and predictors of non-adherence to therapy.
Research Interests and Keywords
- adherence to cancer therapy,Breast Cancer,Cognitive function of cancer patients,reproductive hormones

Dana Bovbjerg
Program: Biobehavioral Cancer Control
Hillman Cancer Center 5115 Centre Avenue, Suite 140
Pittsburgh PA
Summary
Interdisciplinary studies of: biobehavioral factors in cancer; the emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and biological consequences of breast cancer risk; the contribution of biobehavioral factors to side effects of medical treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) and interventions that may ameliorate those effects; interactions between psychological and genetic factors in persistent smoking behavior; and, psychological influences on cancer screening decisions.
Research Interests and Keywords
- Biobehavioral factors in cancer,cancer diagnosis,cancer risk,cancer screening,psychological factors in cancer,smoking behavior