Mary Margaret Walther Program for Cancer Care Research
Scientists in the Mary Margaret Walther Program for Cancer Care Research study human behavior to help patients and families with:
- Prevention and early detection of cancer,
- Management of symptoms and side effects of cancer treatment at diagnosis,
- Long-term survivorship issues, and
- Problems patients and families face with advanced cancer.
The Walther Cancer Institute is a long-time supporter of behavioral research, starting when Dr. Joseph Walther created the program in 1985 in memory of his wife Mary Margaret Walther.
Behavioral Cooperative Oncology Group (BCOG)/Center for Symptom Management
Mary Margaret Walther program scientists formed the Behavioral Cooperative Oncology Group (BCOG)/ Center for Symptom Management to foster cooperation among Midwest regional academic/medical center researchers and community practitioners. In addition to researchers and practitioners, members include project personnel and students from many fields, ranging from nursing to music therapy.
Behavioral Cooperative Oncology Group is a consortium of behavioral scientists at Indiana University, Ohio State University, Michigan State University, and the University of Michigan. The BCOG Center for Symptom Management will develop cost-effective interventions that can be used to alleviate or prevent symptom burden associated with a cancer diagnosis and its treatment. Pre and post-doctoral fellows as well as junior faculty will be trained to develop and sustain a program of symptom science research that can be translated into practice for the benefit of cancer patients and their families.
The BCOG Center for Symptom Management's goal is to train and develop scientists who can address symptom management resulting from the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
1. The Center develops the infrastructure to support research and training in the science of symptom management as it pertains to all patients with cancer beginning with diagnosis, treatment, post-treatment, and continuing survivorship and extending through both palliative care at the end of life.
2. Support the training of pre and post-doctoral fellows and research scientists through a collaborative network of senior scientists.
3. Develop behavioral oncology scientists in the broad area of symptom management through specific development strategies including support of pilot projects.
4. Test and expand the Burdette Web Portal as a mechanism to foster development and translation of symptom management research to cancer patients and their families.
The BCOG Center for Symptom Management develops cost-effective interventions that can be used to alleviate or prevent symptom burden associated with a cancer diagnosis and tis treatment. We will train pre and post-doctoral fellows as well as junior faculty so that each is able to develop and sustain a program of symptom science research that can be translated into practice for the benefit of cancer patients and their families.
