Reaching In/Reaching Out:
Managing Boundaries in Cancer Communication Research
Rationale: The cancer burden afflicting our nation today continues to be one of the most dreaded and troublesome life events for Americans. Almost nine million people in the United States are living with cancer and over one million new cases will be diagnosed in 2001. After heart disease, cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death in this country. It is little wonder that cancer continues to be the greatest health concern among Americans, with nearly 43 percent of men and 38 percent of women facing the prospect of a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.
Recent empirical investigations as well as policy statements issues by federal and non-profit organizations have clearly acknowledged the essential role of communication processes in effective cancer care. The National Cancer Institute, for instance, has recognized “cancer communications as an extraordinary opportunity for investment,” budgeting almost $20 million for targeted communication research. As a result, a number of communication scholars, as well as researchers outside the field (border) of communication, have redirected their efforts toward cancer communication research.
While important steps have been taken to reduce the cancer burden through communication research, a number of important “boundaries” must be penetrated and managed before additional reductions in morbidity, mortality, and quality of life are recognized. Four obvious boundaries are recognized in this panel: disciplinary boundaries, cultural boundaries, technological boundaries, and organization boundaries. Scholars and practitioners from within and outside the discipline of communication will discuss the management of these boundaries as they pursue cancer communication research. Panelists will consider the challenges as well as the opportunities of managing boundaries created by academic department lines, campus boundaries, and disciplinary traditions when collaborating on cancer research. Other panelists will examine the boundaries that are created in cancer care due to cultural differences and means to penetrate these boundaries, while other panelists will focus on how technology and computer-mediated-communication offer the opportunity to transcend barriers typically present in cancer care, especially information and support seeking. Still other panelists will report recent successes through advocacy efforts in surmounting boundaries that previously prevented access to research funding for cancer care. Insights from panelists will be integrated and assessed by a prominent health communication scholar and official of the National Cancer Institute, followed by audience discussion.
Participants
Chair: Dan O’Hair, University of Oklahoma, Norman
Negotiating Disciplinary Boundaries in Cancer Research
Russell Postier, Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Dan Brackett, Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Dan O’Hair, Department of Communication, University of Oklahoma, Norman
Postier and Brackett are members of a research-intensive surgery department at an academic health sciences center, while O’Hair is a member of a traditional communication department. These three researchers recently collaborated on an interdisciplinary grant proposal to investigate pancreatic cancer. Their perspectives and insights on negotiating disciplinary boundaries in the grant writing process will be explored.
Crossing Cultural Boundaries in Cancer Care and Research
Jim Query, University of Houston
Maria Jibaja, Baylor College of Medicine
Bob Heath, University of Houston
Sarah Hawley Tropman, Baylor College of Medicine
Mark Giese, University of Houston
Bob Volk, Baylor College of Medicine
Shannon Bowen, University of Houston
Working as an interdisciplinary research team, these panelists are in the development stage of an online decision making aid for culturally diverse breast cancer patients. Within the context of this research program, the special needs and challenges (e.g., language and literacy boundaries) of culturally diverse patients are emphasized and addressed. Panelists will bring their unique experiences and perspectives into focus as they relate how cultural boundaries can be crossed in cancer communication research.
Transcending Cancer Informational Boundaries through Technology
Kevin Wright, Department of Communication, University of Memphis
This panelist has devoted most of his scholarly career investigating how patients utilize online resources for information and social support services. Wright will report recent studies that demonstrate the utility of online cancer resources and how users transcend informational boundaries typically facing cancer patients and their families.
Penetrating Organization Boundaries through Patient Advocacy
Paula Kim, Founder and CEO, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Julie Fleshman, Executive Director, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Kim and Fleshman are leaders of a nonprofit organization (PANCAN) that concentrates exclusively on enhancing public awareness, improving patient advocacy, and focusing governmental attention on pancreatic cancer. Through their organization’s efforts, boundaries that have traditionally been closed off to funding for pancreatic cancer are now open. These panelists will review the communication strategies that were critical in penetrating the boundaries typically in place when pursuing funding and promoting awareness for terminal diseases.
Respondent: Gary Kreps, National Cancer Institute
Program Description (75-word):
While important steps have been taken to reduce the cancer burden through communication research, a number of important “boundaries” must be managed before additional reductions in morbidity, mortality, and quality of life are recognized. Four obvious boundaries are recognized in this panel: disciplinary boundaries, cultural boundaries, technological boundaries, and organization boundaries. Scholars and practitioners from within and outside the discipline of communication will discuss the management of these boundaries as they pursue cancer communication research and advocacy.