Research aims to identify interventions for young breast cancer survivors
The Donna Boniva Sanders and Mary Patricia Armstrong Nursing Cancer Research Endowed Fund has awarded its inaugural grant to Yesol Yang, PhD, assistant professor at The Ohio State University College of Nursing. Dr. Yang’s research investigates how the responses of breast cancer survivors to negative situations impact their executive functioning.
The Donna Bovina Sanders and Mary Patricia Armstrong Nursing Cancer Research Endowed Fund was established by Ohio State alumni Terri Armstrong (MSN ‘93) and Chris Armstrong (JD ‘89) to support innovative cancer research.
Yang’s pilot study, “Exploring Sensitivity to Uncertainty and Cognitive-Emotional Challenges in Young Breast Cancer Survivors,” will begin in early 2025 and will recruit more than 40 young breast cancer survivors at the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center over a two-year span.
“I am deeply honored to be the first recipient of this research fund. This is more than just an opportunity; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime, full-circle moment and a privilege to work with someone I have long admired,” Yang said. “I first connected with Dr. Terri Armstrong through email when she was a faculty member and I was a master's student at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.
“I feel incredibly blessed to collaborate with her. Together, we will work toward generating valuable knowledge and creating tangible solutions for cancer survivors.”
Yang’s project will be conducted in collaboration with several other Ohio State researchers, including Diane Von Ah, PhD, and Alai Tan, PhD, from the College of Nursing; Stephanie Gorka, PhD, from the Ohio State College of Medicine; and Michelle Naughton, PhD, from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. Yang said the research team will use a wide array of methods to examine if and how individual differences in sensitivity to uncertain/unpredictable situations affect participants' emotional and cognitive functioning. By studying how these factors interact, the research aims to uncover pathways that could lead to more effective screening and interventions for cognitive problems in young breast cancer survivors.
After completing this project, Yang plans to launch a subsequent study to explore the causal relationships between sensitivity to uncertainty and cognitive issues. This future study will also incorporate neuroimaging to understand how these challenges affect the brain.
“Breast cancer survivors, particularly younger women, often experience heightened levels of uncertainty in their survivorship journey, which can exacerbate cognitive and emotional challenges,” Yang said. “Through this grant, I hope to better understand how sensitivity to uncertainty impacts their well-being and explore potential solutions to help alleviate these issues. I aim for this research to not only improve support for these survivors, but also to pave the way for future interventions that can better address their unique needs throughout their survivorship journey.”
