University of Buffalo Scholar Receives Grant to Develop Breast Cancer Education Program

Robin M. Lally, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Buffalo, has received a $700,000 grant from the American Cancer Society to develop and test an Internet-based education program to help support the initial psychological adjustment of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Dr. Lally notes that the time between diagnosis and initial treatment can be traumatic for breast cancer patients. In some cases severe depression can occur. She states, “Since many women receive their diagnosis from a mammography center or their general practitioner and then must identify a clinic and wait to see a breast surgeon, they are often left alone to deal with their anxiety. Through this project, we hope to intervene during this critical time by addressing coping and adjustment needs early.”