Adolescents and young adults with advanced cancer may focus on pursuing treatment options without fully understanding how those therapies could impact their overall well-being. This gap in knowledge makes discussions about care and treatment plans critical for young people, yet research reveals a shortage of tools available to guide these vital conversations.

This is why Stephanie Gruner, MSN, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC, a PhD student at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston, is exploring improved methods to support youth with advanced cancer in making treatment related decisions that better reflect their personal values and individual needs, with the support of a $1,000 Elizabeth W. Quinn Oncology Research Award.

Gruner’s study, “Treatment Decision-Making Experiences Among Adolescents and Young Adults with Advanced Cancer: An Ideal-Type Analysis,” will shed light on the difficult decisions faced by young cancer patients and aim to enhance communication between them, their caregivers, and health care professionals, ultimately aiming to improve health and quality of life outcomes.

“These patients often face a tough journey, sometimes receiving intensive medical care near the end of their life despite living with their diagnosis for months or even years,” said Gruner. “Unfortunately, these decisions can lead to additional burdens, complications, and suffering, significantly reducing their overall well-being.”

By facilitating interviews with patients ages 15-24, Gruner and her team will seek to better understand their experiences with communication and treatment decision-making. The narratives will help create a framework to improve future conversations about care, not only for patients and families but also for health care providers.

“We hope our work inspires a shift in how health care systems approach communication with young cancer patients,” said Gruner. “Through our research, we have the potential to transform the treatment-decision processes, making it more patient-centered and supportive of the unique needs of this population.”

Co-investigators on the study are Stacey Crane, PhD, RN, CPON, assistant professor in the Department of Research at Cizik School Nursing; Cathy Rozmus, PhD, RN, FNPA, FAA, vice dean of academic affairs at the Cizik School of Nursing; and Jill Ann Jarrell, MD, MPH, palliative care specialist at Texas Children’s Hospital.

Laura Frnka-Davis