CARESLAB
Cancer Community
Research | Engagement | Support
RESEARCH
The overarching aim of the CARES Lab is to understand the significant challenges faced by individuals coping with cancer and improve outcomes across the cancer continuum through patient-centered healthcare and tailored, empirically-supported interventions. Our interests include resilience, metastatic disease, and supportive care needs, as well as psychoneuroimmunology and the pathways through which psychosocial factors influence stress biology. We are particularly interested in moving beyond a singular focus on distress and symptom reduction in order to elucidate the unique effects of protective psychological processes, such as purpose and meaning in life, acceptance, and positive emotion, on quality of life and health outcomes in cancer survivors. Due to persistent disparities experienced by racial and ethnic minorities, a primary area of our research focuses on identifying factors that can be targeted to improve quality of life and health outcomes among Hispanics/Latinos and other underrepresented, underserved individuals. We are also committed to improving women's health and collaborate on projects in the areas of urogynecology and reproductive endocrinology.
ONGOING STUDIES
Enhancing Quality of Life and Symptom Management among Hispanics/Latinos with Metastatic Cancer
We are conducting a research study about the quality of life among Hispanics/Latinos who are living with metastatic cancer. We are interested in the kind of support and care that patients have received to manage the symptoms and side effects of treatment. We also want to learn if patients have spoken with their care team about their quality of life. Our goal is to use what we learn in this study to develop resources that improve the quality of life in patients in the future.
Currently, we are recruiting oncology providers (physicians and APPs) at the University of Miami for brief interviews about their experience caring for patients with metastatic cancer. Interviews are no more than 30 minutes long and are flexibly scheduled. If you are interested in participating or finding out more information, please click the button below to contact our research team.
PUBLICATIONS
Penedo, F. J., Moreno, P. I., Pons, M., Pinheiro, P. S., Antoni, M. H., Lopes, G., Calfa, C., Chalela, P., Garcini, L., Wang, C.-P., Chen, Y., Diaz, A., Cole, S., & Ramirez, A. G. (in press). Avanzando Caminos (Leading Pathways): Design and Procedures of The Hispanic/Latino Cancer Survivorship Study. American Journal of Epidemiology.
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Moreno, P. I., *Worch, S. M., Thomas, J. L., *Nguyen, R. L., Penedo, F. J., Moskowitz, J. T., Yanez, B., Kircher, S. M., Kundu, S. D., Flury, S. C., & Cheung, E. O. (in press). A prospective observational study of quality of life in patients and their spouses and cohabitating partners in the year following a cancer biopsy: The Couples Cope Study Protocol. JMIR Research Protocols.
Pedreira, P.B., Fleszar-Pavlović, S.E., Walsh, E.A., Noriega Esquives, B., Moreno, P.I., Perdomo, D., Heller, A.S., Antoni, M.H., & Penedo, F.J. (2024). Familism, family cohesion, and health-related quality of life in Hispanic prostate cancer survivors. Journal of Behavioral Medicine. PDF
Gong, R., Antoni, M. H., Heller, A. S., Moreno, P. I., Yanez, B., & Penedo, F. J. (2024). Low social well-being in advanced and metastatic prostate cancer: Effects of a randomized controlled trial of Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. PDF
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Fleszar-Pavlovic, S. E., Natori, A., Moreno, P. I., Medina, H. N., Sookdeo, V., MacIntyre, J., & Penedo, F. J. (2024). Associations between age and patient-reported outcomes, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations among lung cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. Psycho-Oncology, e6293. PDF
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Hurstak, E. E., Paasche-Orlow, M. K., Hahn, E. A., Taddeo, M. A., Henault, L. E., Moreno, P. I., & Griffith J. W. (2023). The mediating effect of health literacy on COVID-19 vaccine confidence among a diverse sample of urban adults. Vaccine, 41(15), 2562-2571. PDF
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Maras, A. F., Penedo, F. J., Ramirez, A. G., *Worch, S. M., Ortiz, M. S., Yanez, B., Munoz, E., Perez, A., Lad, T., Hollowell, C., *Medina, H. N., & Moreno, P. I. (2023). Cardiometabolic comorbidities in Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors: Prevalence and impact on health-related quality of life and supportive care needs. Supportive Care in Cancer, 31, 711. PDF
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Noriega Esquives, B., Walsh, E., Penedo, F. J., Thomas, J. L., Horner, F. S., Torzewski, J. B., Thomas, J. L., Gradishar, W., Victorson, D., & Moreno, P. I. (2023). Coping strategies and psychosocial resources among women living with metastatic breast cancer: A qualitative study. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology. PDF
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Bakkensen, J. B., Smith, K. S., Cheung, E. O., Moreno, P. I., Goldman, K. N., Lawson, A. K., & Feinberg, E. C. (2023). Childbearing, infertility, and career trajectories among women in medicine. JAMA Open Network, 6(7):e2326192. PDF
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Penedo, F. J., Natori, A., Fleszar-Pavlovic, S. E., Sookdeo, V., MacIntyre, J., *Medina, H. N., Moreno, P. I., Crane, T. E., Moskowtiz, C., Calfa, C., Schlumbrecht, M. P. (2023). Factors associated with unmet supportive care needs and emergency department visits and hospitalizations in ambulatory oncology. JAMA Open Network; 6(6), e2319352. PDF
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Benzo, R. M., Moreno, P. I., Fox, R. S., Silvera, C. A., Walsh, E. A., Yanez, B., Balise, R. R., Oswald, L. B., & Penedo, F. J. (2023). Comorbidity burden and health-related quality of life in men with advanced prostate cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer, 31, 496. PDF
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Hurstak, E. E., Paasche-Orlow, M. K., Hahn, E. A., Taddeo, M. A., Henault, L. E., Moreno, P. I., & Griffith J. W. (2023). The mediating effect of health literacy on COVID-19 vaccine confidence among a diverse sample of urban adults in Boston and Chicago. Vaccine, 41(15), 2562-2571. PDF
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Tan, M. M., Villamar, D. M., Huard, C., Nicholson, L., *Medina, Heidy, N., & Moreno, P. I. (2023). Advanced care planning with Black women with breast cancer: A community health worker model. Cancer Control, 30, 1-13. PDF
Brick, R., Natori, A., Moreno, P. I., Molinares, D., Koru-Sengul, T., & Penedo, F. J. (2023). Predictors of cancer rehabilitation medicine referral and utilization based on the Moving Through Cancer physical activity screening assessment. Supportive Care in Cancer, 31, 216. PDF
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Walsh, E.A., Boland, C., Popok, P.J., Pedreira, P.B., Fox, R.S., Moreno, P.I., Yanez, B., & Penedo, F.J. (2023). Marital status and perceived stress in men with advanced prostate cancer: A randomized-controlled trial of cognitive behavioral stress management. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 167. PDF
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Moreno, P. I., Noriega Esquives, B., Thomas, J. L., *Horner, F. S., Torzewski, J. B., Gradishar, W., Victorson, D., & Penedo, F. J. (2023). Characterizing unique supportive care needs among women living with metastatic breast cancer: A qualitative study. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research & Practice, 5(1). PDF
Peipert, J. D., Shaunfeld, S., Kaiser, K., Moreno, P. I., Fox, R. S., Kircher, S., Mohindra, N., Wagner, L., & Cella, D. (2023). How do patients interpret and respond to a single item global indicator of cancer treatment tolerability? Supportive Care in Cancer, 31, 37. PDF
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Antoni, M. H., Moreno, P. I., & Penedo, F. J. (2023). Stress management interventions to facilitate psychological and physiological adaptation and optimal health outcomes in cancer patients and survivors. Annual Review of Psychology, 74, 423-455. PDF
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Moreno, P. I., Penedo, F. J., Knaul, F. M., Oltmann, C., Huber, M. T. & Khawand-Azoulai, M. (2023). EHR-integrated assessments of patient-reported outcomes in oncology: A critical opportunity for timely and targeted palliative care. Journal of National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 21(1), 2-5. PDF
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Walsh, E. A., Moreno, P. I., Fox, R. S., Yanez, B. & Penedo, F. J. (2023). Pain, cancer-related distress, and physical and functional well-being among men with advanced prostate cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer, 31(1), 28. PDF
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Natori, A., Sookdeo, V. D., Koru-Sengul, T., Schlumbrecht, M., Calfa, C. L., MacIntyre, J., Benzo, R. M., Moreno, P. I., Crane, T. E., Garcia, S. F., & Penedo, F. J. (2023). Symptoms and Needs Monitoring in Diverse Ambulatory Oncology Patients: Usage Characteristics and Impact on Emergency Room Visits and Hospitalization. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 41(2), 285-294. PDF
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Noriega Esquives, B., St. George, S. M., Moreno, P. I., Lee, T. K., Munoz, E., Lad, T., Hollowell, C., Ramirez, A. G., & Penedo, F. J. (2022). A latent class analysis of health behavior changes after cancer diagnosis among Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors. Journal of Cancer Survivorship. PDF
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Walsh, E. A., Antoni, M. H., Popok, P. J., Moreno, P. I., & Penedo, F. J. (2022). Effects of a randomized-controlled trial of cognitive behavioral stress management: Psychosocial adaptation and immune status in men with early-stage prostate cancer. General Hospital Psychiatry, 79, 128–134. PDF
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Bakkensen, J. B., Flannagan, K. S., Mumford, S. L., Hutchinson, A. P., Cheung, E. O., Moreno, P. I., Jordan, N., Feinberg, E. C., & Goldman, K. N. (2022). Freeze now, save later: A SART data cost-effectiveness analysis of planned oocyte cryopreservation considering ideal family size. Fertility & Sterility. PDF
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Benzo R. M., Moreno, P. I., Noriega-Esquives, B., Otto A. K., & Penedo, F. J., (2022). Who benefits from an eHealth-based stress management intervention in advanced prostate cancer? Results from a randomized controlled trial. Psycho-Oncology, 1-11. PDF
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Smith, K. S., Bakkensen, J. B., Hutchinson, A. P., Cheung, E. O., Thomas, J. L., Grote, V., Moreno, P. I., Goldman, K. N., Jordan, N., & Feinberg, E. C. (2022). Knowledge of fertility and perspectives about family planning among female physicians. JAMA Network Open, 5(5), e2213337. PDF
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Noriega Esquives, B., Lee, T. K., Moreno, P. I., Fox, R. S., Yanez, B., Miller, G. E., Estabrook, R., Begale, M. J., Flury, S. C., Perry, K., Kundu, S. D., & Penedo, F. J. (2022). Symptom burden profiles in men with advanced prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 45, 366–377. PDF
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Mesa, R. A., Ramirez, A. G., Moreno, P. I., Segarra-Vazquez, B. & Fejerman, L. (2022). Latino cancer health equity, Cancer Moonshot converge in San Antonio. The Cancer Letter, 48(10), 25-30. PDF
Penedo, F.J., Medina, H.N., Moreno, P.I., Sookdeo, V., Natori, A., Boland, C., Schlumbrecht, M.P., Calfa, C., MacIntyre, J., Crane, T.E., Garcia, S.F. (2022). Implementation of an electronic health record (EHR) integrated patient reported outcomes (PRO) symptom and needs monitoring program in ambulatory oncology: The My Wellness Check Program. JCO Oncology Practice, 18(7), e1100-e1113. PDF
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Moreno, P. I., Horner, F. S., Torzewski, J. B., Thomas, J. L., Gradishar, W., Victorson, D., & Penedo, F. J. (2022). Study design and protocol for tailored Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to optimize quality of life in women living with metastatic breast cancer. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 25, 100870. PDF
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Cheung, E. O., Penedo, F. J., Moskowitz, J. T., Yanez, B., Kircher, S. M., Kundu, S. D., Flury, S. C., & Moreno, P. I. (2021). Prospectively examining the effects of a cancer diagnosis on patients, spouses/partners, and their relationship. In F. J. Infurna & E. Jayawickreme (Eds.) Redesigning Research on Post-Traumatic Growth: Challenges, Pitfalls, & New Directions. New York: Oxford University Press.
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Penedo, F. J., Fox, R. S., Walsh, E. A., Yanez, B., Miller, G. E., Oswald, L. B., Estabrook, R., Chatterton, R. T., Mohr, D. C., Begale, M. J., Flury, S. C., Perry, K., Kundu, S. D. & Moreno, P. I. (2021). Effects of web-based cognitive behavioral stress management and health promotion interventions on neuroendocrine and inflammatory markers in men with advanced prostate cancer: A randomized controlled trial. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity, 95, 168-177. PDF
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Gomez-Perez, D., Cancino, M., Moreno, P. I., & Ortiz, M. S. (2020). Weight stigma, chronic stress, unhealthy diet, and obesity in Chilean adults. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 28, 292–298. PDF
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Lattie, E. G., Bass, M., Garcia, S. F., Phillips, S. M., Moreno, P. I., Flores, A. M., Smith, J. D., Scholtens D., Barnard, C., Penedo, F. J., Cella, D., & Yanez B. (2020). Optimizing health information technologies for symptom management in cancer patients and survivors: Usability evaluation. JMIR Formative Research, 4(9): e18412. PDF
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Penedo, F. J., Fox, R. S., Oswald, L. B., Moreno, P.I., Boland, C. L., Estabrook, R., McGinty, H. L., Mohr, D. C., Begale, M. J., Dahn, J. R., Flury, S. C., Perry, K. T., Kundu, S. D., & Yanez, B. (2020). Technology-based psychosocial intervention to improve quality of life and reduce symptom burden in men with advanced prostate cancer: Results from a randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 27, 490–505. PDF
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Ramirez, A. G., Choi, B. Y., Munoz, E., Perez, A., Gallion, K. J., Moreno, P. I., & Penedo, F. J. (2020). Assessing the effect of patient navigator assistance to psychosocial support services on health-related quality of life in a randomized clinical trial in Latino breast, prostate, colorectal cancer survivors. Cancer, 126(5), 1112-1123. PDF
Fox, R. S., Moreno, P.I., Yanez, B., Estabrook, R., Thomas, J., Bouchard, L. C., McGinty, H. L., Mohr, D. C., Begale, M. J., Flury, S. C., Perry, K. T., Kundu, S. D., & Penedo, F. J. (2019). Integrating PROMIS computerized adaptive tests into a web-based intervention for prostate cancer. Health Psychology, 38(5), 403-409. PDF
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Moreno, P. I., Yanez, B., Schuetz, S. J., Wortman, K., Gallo, L. C., Benedict, C., Brintz, C. E., Cai, J., Castaneda, S. F., Perreira, K. M., Gonzalez, P., Gonzalez, F., Isasi, C. R. & Penedo, F. J (2019). Cancer fatalism and adherence to national cancer screening guidelines: Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Cancer Epidemiology, 60, 39-45. PDF
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Moreno, P. I., Dooley, L. N., & Bower, J. E. (2019). Unique associations of eudaimonic and hedonic wellbeing with adjustment in breast cancer survivors. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 36(5), 649-657. PDF
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Ramirez, A. G., Gallion, K. J., Perez, A., Munoz, E., Parma, D. L., Moreno, P. I., & Penedo, F. J. (2019). Improving quality of life among Latino cancer survivors: Design of a randomized trial of patient navigation. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 76, 41-48. PDF
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Moreno, P. I., Ramirez, A. G., San Miguel-Majors, S. L., Castillo, L., Fox, R. S., Gallion, K. J., Munoz, E., Estabrook, R., Perez, A., Lad, T., Hollowell, C. & Penedo, F. J. (2019). Unmet supportive care needs in Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors: Prevalence and associations with patient-provider communication, satisfaction with cancer care, and symptom burden. Supportive Care in Cancer. 27(4), 1383-1394. PDF
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Penedo, F. J., Antoni, M. H., Moreno, P. I., Traeger, L., Perdomo, D., Dahn, J., Miller, G. E., Cole, S. Orjuela, J., Pizarro, E. & Yanez, B. (2018). Study design and protocol for a culturally adapted cognitive behavioral stress and self-management intervention for prostate cancer: The Encuentros de Salud Study. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 71, 173-180. PDF
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Moreno, P. I., Ramirez, A. G., San Miguel-Majors, S. L., Fox, R. S., Castillo, L., Gallion, K. J., Munoz, E., Estabrook, R., Perez, A., Lad, T., Hollowell, C. & Penedo, F. J. (2018). Satisfaction with cancer care, self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life in Latino cancer survivors. Cancer, 124(8), 1770-1779. PDF
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Moreno, P. I., Wiley, J., & Stanton, A. L. (2017). Coping through emotional approach: Emerging evidence for the utility of processing and expressing emotions in response to stress. In C. R. Snyder, S. J. Lopez, L. M. Edwards, & S. C. Marques (Eds.) Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. PDF
Crosswell, A. D., Moreno, P. I., Raposa, E., Motivala, S., Stanton, A. L., Ganz, P. A., & Bower, J. E. (2017). Effects of mindfulness training on emotional and physiologic recovery from induced negative emotion. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 86, 78-86. PDF
Dooley, L. N., Slavich, G. M., Moreno, P. I., & Bower, J. E. (2017). Strength through adversity: Moderate life stress is associated with psychological resilience in breast cancer survivors. Stress & Health, 1-9. PDF
Moreno, P. I., Bauer, M. R., Yanez, B., Jorge, A., Maggard-Gibbons, M. & Stanton, A. L. (2016). Dispositional emotional expressivity, cancer-specific coping, and distress in socioeconomically disadvantaged Latinas. Health Psychology, 35(6), 584-593. PDF
Yanez, B., Maggard-Gibbons, M., Moreno, P. I., Jorge, A., & Stanton, A. L. (2016). Predictors of psychological outcomes in a longitudinal study of Latina breast cancer survivors. Psychology & Health, 31(11), 1359-1374. PDF
Moreno, P. I., Moskowitz, A. L., Ganz, P. A., & Bower, J. E (2016). Positive affect and inflammatory activity in breast cancer survivors: Examining the role of affective arousal. Psychosomatic Medicine, 78(5), 532-541. PDF
Moreno, P. I. & Stanton, A. L. (2013). Personal growth in patients with advanced cancer: A systematic review. The Cancer Journal, 19(5), 421-430. PDF