Managing Anxiety From Cancer (MAC): Testing an Intervention for Anxiety in Older Adults With Cancer and Their Caregivers

Inclusion criteria

PATIENTS:

• Age 65 or older
• Confirmed diagnosis of breast, lymphoma, genitourinary, thoracic, gynecological or gastrointestinal cancer, currently on active treatment or within six months of completion of treatment
• As determined by the patient's primary oncologist and/or study staff, physically and cognitively able to complete study procedures
• English fluent (as per self-reported fluency of "very well")**
• In the judgment of the investigators and/or consenting professional, able to perform informed consent
• Has a primary informal caregiver (as defined by an unpaid individual who provides the patient with emotional, physical, and/or practical support) who is willing and able to participate in the study
• As part of the patient-caregiver dyad, at least one member reports elevated anxiety as defined by a score of 8 or greater on the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
• As per self-report, residency in New York or ability to complete sessions in New York
• Able to communicate over the phone for sessions
• Willingness to be audio-recorded for assessments and, if applicable, study sessions

CAREGIVERS:

• Age 21 or older
• In the judgment of the investigators and/or consenting professional, able to perform informed consent
• As part of the patient-caregiver dyad, at least one member reports elevated anxiety as defined by a score of 8 or greater on the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
• English fluent (as per self-reported fluency of "very well")**
• Is a primary informal caregiver (as defined by an unpaid individual who provides the patient with emotional, physical, and/or practical support) for an MSK patient
• As per self-report, residency in New York or ability to complete sessions in New York
• Able to communicate over the phone for sessions
• Willingness to be audio-recorded for assessments and, if applicable, study sessions

Exclusion criteria

PATIENTS:

• Endorsing active suicidal ideation on the item, "In light of your current circumstances, have you ever had thoughts of killing yourself?"
• As per oncologist or self-report, too weak or cognitively impaired to participate in the intervention and complete the assessments
• Per self-report/screening measures, has received cognitive-behavioral therapy since cancer diagnosis
• As per medical record or self-report, currently being treated for schizophrenia, substance use or dependence, and/or bi-polar disorder
• Anxiety due solely to a medical procedure as determined by a patient-report item on the screening questionnaire

CAREGIVERS:

• Endorsing active suicidal ideation on the item, "In light of your current circumstances, have you ever had thoughts of killing yourself?"
• Per self-report/screening measures, has received cognitive-behavioral therapy since patient"s cancer diagnosis
• As per self-report, currently being treated for schizophrenia, substance use or dependence, and/or bi-polar disorder
• If female, currently pregnant