Current Studies
Acupressure for Persistent Cancer Related Fatigue
Suzanna M. Zick, N.D., M.P.H., Principal Investigator
Ananda Sen, Ph.D., Co-Investigator
Funded by the National Institutes of Health, The National Cancer Institute
This randomized, single-blind, placebo controlled study will examine the effect of two different acupressure treatments compared to standard of care, since self-administered acupressure has been demonstrated to decrease persistent cancer-related fatigue (PCRF) for breast cancer survivor
Modeling Professional Attitudes and Teaching Humanistic Communication in Virtual Reality (MPathic VR)
Michael D. Fetters, M.D., M.P.H., M.A., Principal Investigator
Funded by The National Institutes of Health
The M-Pathic VR II project will rigorously evaluate the extent that the newly successful "virtual reality" software program (developed in Phase I) can enhance medical school curricula in professionalism, empathy, and in patient-centeredness (using verbal and non-verbal communication skills) as well as the ACGME competencies when treating a terminally ill cancer patient.
Translational Research in GI Cancer
Ananda Sen, Ph.D., Co-Investigator
Zora Djuric, Ph.D., Co-Investigator
Funded by the National Institutes of Health
This project aims to search for early detection biomarkers of pancreatic cancers in human plasma. Patients with different forms of pancreatic diseases, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), Type 2 diabetes, and normal patients will serve as the disease category of interest.
Media and Infographics
Research video preview for Dr. Suzanna Zick's Fatigue Reduction Diet for breast cancer survivors. Results from the first piloted randomized controlled trial available in the December issue of Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.
Recent Publications
- Zick SM, Sen A, Hassett AL, et al. Impact of Self-Acupressure on Co-Occurring Symptoms in Cancer Survivors. JNCI Cancer Spectrum. 2019;2(4). doi:10.1093/jncics/pky064.
- Zick SM, Snyder D, Abrams DI. Pros and Cons of Dietary Strategies Popular Among Cancer Patients. Oncology. 2018;32(11):542-547.
- Zick SM, Czuhajewski C, Fouladbakhsh JM, et al. Integrative Oncology Scholars Program: A Model for Integrative Oncology Education. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2018;24(9-10):1018-1022. doi:10.1089/acm.2018.0184.
- Djuric Z, Bassis CM, Plegue MA, et al. Colonic Mucosal Bacteria Are Associated with Inter-Individual Variability in Serum Carotenoid Concentrations. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2018;118(4). doi:10.1016/j.jand.2017.09.013.
- Lajoie AS, Kerr JC, Clover RD, Harper DM. Influencers and preference predictors of HPV Vaccine Uptake among US Male and Female Young Adult College Students. Papillomavirus Research. March 2018. doi:10.1016/j.pvr.2018.03.007.
See more
- Piil K, Jakobsen J, Christensen K, Juhler, M, Guetterman, TC, Fetters MD, Jarden, M. Needs and preferences among patients with high-grade glioma and their caregivers - A longitudinal mixed methods study. European Journal of Cancer Care. January 2018. doi:10.1111/ecc.12806.
- Djuric Z, Turgeon K, Sen A, Ren J, Herman K, Ramaswamy D, Zhao L, Ruffin IV MT, Normolle DP, Smith WL, Brenner DE. The Anti-inflammatory Effect of Personalized Omega-3 Fatty Acid Dosing for Reducing Prostaglandin E2 in the Colonic Mucosa Is Attenuated in Obesity. Cancer Prevention Research. Online: 13 Nov 2017. doi: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-17-0091
- Rubinstein EB, Miller WL, SV Hudson, et al. Cancer Survivorship Care in Advanced Primary Care Practices: A Qualitative Study of Challenges and Opportunities. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2017 September 25; doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.4747
- Harris RE, Ichesco E, Cummiford C, Hampson JP, Chenevert TL, Basu N, Zick SM. Brain Connectivity Patterns Dissociate Action of Specific Acupressure Treatments in Fatigued Breast Cancer Survivors. Front Neurol. 2017 Jun 23;8:298. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00298
- Kaye DR, Richardson CR, Ye Z, Herrel LA, Ellimoottil C, Miller DC. Association Between Patient Satisfaction and Short-Term Outcomes After Major Cancer Surgery. Annals of Surgical Oncology. 2017;24(12):3486-3493. doi:10.1245/s10434-017-6049-2.
- Mahmoudi E, Lu Y, Metz AK, Momoh AO, Chung KC. Association of a Policy Mandating Physician-Patient Communication With Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction. JAMA Surg. 2017 May 31. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2017.0921. [Epub ahead of print]
- Djuric Z, Bassis C, Ren J, Chan R, Kato I, Ruffin MT, Sen A, Turgeon DK. Predictors of Carotenoid Concentrations in Human Serum: Role of the Intestinal Microbiome. The FASEB Journal, 2017 April, 31(1), supplement 168.7. doi: 10.1096/fj.1530-6860
- Greenlee H, Melissa J. DuPont-Reyes MJ, Balneaves LG, Carlson LE, Cohen MR, Deng G, Johnson JA, Mumber M, Seely D, Zick SM, Boyce LM, Tripathy D. Clinical practice guidelines on the evidence-based use of integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 2017; DOI: 10.3322/caac.21397
- Jimbo M et al. Correlates of Patient Intent and Preference on Colorectal Cancer Screening. Am J Prev Med 2017 Feb 3 (in-press). doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.11.026.
- Presser BE, Katz ML, Shoben AB, Moore D, Ruffin MT, Paskett ED, Reiter PL. Effects of an Education Intervention about HPV Self-Testing for Healthcare Providers and Staff. J Cancer Educ. 2017 Jan 10. doi: 10.1007/s13187-017-1164-0.
Collaborative Partners & External Affiliates
- Cancer Biology Program at the University of Michigan Medical School - Faculty: Zora Djuric, PhD, Professor
- Obesity Society - Obesity and Cancer Interest section - Past Chair: Zora Djuric, PhD, Professor
- National Cancer Institute, PREVENT Cancer Preclinical Drug Development Program - Review panel member: Zora Djuric, PhD, Professor
In the News
August 28, 2017: Communication in cancer care has fallen short for many Deaf survivors
Cancer care is getting lost in translation. A new study from Philip Zazove, M.D. gives voice to the experiences of deaf breast cancer survivors and reveals the challenges of navigating a healthcare system designed for the hearing.
August 22, 2017: Brain Imaging Study Shows How Acupressure Fights Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors
A new study, co-authored by Suzanna Zick, N.D., M.P.H., analyzes how the brain reacts to different types of the acupressure, in the treatment of fatigue.
June 26, 2017: New Research: Law Reduces Some Racial, Ethnic Disparities in Breast Reconstruction Post-Mastectomy
A study led by Dr. Elham Mahmoudi finds that state law in New York that mandated physician-patient communication helped some cancer patients get a beneficial procedure. It was published in the June 2017 issue of JAMA Surgery.
April 24, 2017: Growing Body of Evidence Supports Use of Mind-Body Therapies During Breast Cancer Treatment
A new meta-analysis, co-authored by Suzanna M. Zick, N.D., M.P.H., finds that meditation and yoga get highest grades for improving quality of life.
March 30, 2017: What Factors Influence a Patient’s Intent to Get Colorectal Cancer Screening?
March is colorectal cancer awareness month. Read new research from Masahito Jimbo M.D. on what factors influence patients' decision to get screened.
January 6, 2017: Diet Could Help Breast Cancer Survivors Beat Fatigue Configure
A study by Dr. Zick finds that eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and omega-3-rich foods improved fatigue and sleep quality in breast cancer survivors.
July 7, 2016: Acupressure reduced fatigue in breast cancer survivors in a study led by Dr. Zick
Featured in the Chicago Tribune || Business Insider || Yahoo News
Principal Investigators
Suzanna M. Zick, N.D., M.P.H.
Zora Djuric, Ph.D.
Ananda Sen, Ph.D.
Masahito Jimbo, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.
