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Surviving Cancer Competently Intervention Program or (SCCIP) is manualized for cancer survivors and their siblings. This cancer survivorship content and format of intervention emerged from cancer survivors and their families, documenting traumatic stress responses to cancer treatments, across members of the family. SCCIP addresses two specific areas:(1) Posttraumatic stress symptoms related to the cancer treatments (2) Family interactions that facilitate long-term adjustment to cancerous illness. The program expands and integrates the cancer treatments frameworks from the cognitive behavioral perspectives of Ellis and Seligman and the Multiple Family Group approach of Steinglass and associates. RCT Results: Through the use of cognitive-behavioral exercises, family members were able to identify their beliefs about cancer and the way these beliefs impact their emotions, behaviors, and relationships.

Cancer treatments, and RCT Results: A randomized clinical trial of SCCIP with 150 cancer survivors and their families, demonstrated reductions in PTSS among family members.  Through the use of cognitive-behavioral exercises, family members were able to identify their beliefs about cancer and the way these beliefs impact their emotions, behaviors, and relationships. They learned to reframe these unhelpful beliefs to reduce distress and to communicate with each other (especially the cancer survivor) sometimes for the first time about their thoughts, fears, feelings and memories.

  • Surviving cancer

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  • Surviving cancer

These were done in ways that promoted individual and family coping, competence, and resilience. In addition, we found that the framework of the intervention enabled families to connect with others with similar (cancer survivorship) experiences, which helped to normalize their own experiences. For more information, see Kazak et al. (2004). Treatment of posttraumatic stress symptoms in cancer survivors of cancer and their families.

A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Family Psychology, 18,493-504. GENERAL AIMS AND SPECIFIC GOALS: (1) The over arching aims of SCCIP are to: (1) Reduce posttraumatic stress symptoms in cancer survivors of cancer and their families; (2) Target anxiety, beliefs about cancer and its treatment, social support and family communication as specific areas of expected change .Related to these aims are the specific goals: • Educate cancer survivors of cancer and their family and siblings regarding posttraumatic stress symptoms and other psychological sequelae; • Help survivors and their family members identify ways in which cancer treatments have affected their family and individual and family developmental tasks; • Identify symptoms of posttraumatic stress (such as intrusive memories, avoidance, or hypervigilance ) for adolescent survivors and their family members,

In a supportive environment; Teach survivors and their family members cognitive behavioral strategies which can reduce specific symptoms of posttraumatic stress; • Facilitate discussion within the family of how cancer has affected the families of cancer survivors by focusing on developmentally relevant issues; • Practice family discussions about posttraumatic stress and identify ways in which the cognitive-behavioral and family strategies can be implemented at home. :• SCCIP is a manualized cancer survivor treatment program. The intervention must follow the manual protocol. • SCCIP may not be used without consultation and permission of the authors.

Our team is available to consult on the use of SCCIP clinically and/or in a research study. • The flexibility and clinical judgment of interventionists is critical to successful implementation. As in any intervention, developing therapeutic relationships within individuals and families are necessary for positive outcomes. Familiarity with the underlying concepts, combined with genuineness, empathy, and clinical skill, will maximize the intervention. • SCCIP is a one-day intervention, conducted with a group of families. Our experience has been that this is the most feasible and acceptable format for families cancer survivors, who may live several hours away from the cancer treatment center. This format also facilitates the group treatment milieu. • In conducting SCCIP, scheduling difficulties must be considered. The challenge of having all members of the family available is often significant. It should be emphasized to families that the one-day program is intensive and condenses material that would ordinarily be presented over 6-8 weekly sessions. RECRUITING AND SELECTING PARTICIPANTS: Appropriateness of Participants:•

 

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