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Current Studies

Please check back frequently or follow our social media pages to learn when new exciting studies become available. If you have an energy balance study that you would like to advertise, please contact us.

New Study Spotlight! Project LEAP


Description: Project LEAP (Lowering endometrial cancer risk through activity, nutrition, and preventive medicines) is a study aimed at overweight, post-menopausal women between the ages of 50 and 60. Our study’s goals are to determine if we are able to decrease the risk of endometrial cancer through a lifestyle and drug intervention. Our lifestyle intervention includes weekly meetings with a dietitian and supervised exercise sessions twice per week. Flyer


Who is eligible?

  • Women between 50 and 60 years of age
  • Post-menopausal (no period for one year or longer)
  • Women who have serious weight problems

What is involved in participating?

  • Telephone interview
  • Blood test, endometrial sampling, questionnaires, and body composition measurements (at beginning of study and at 4 months)
  • Four month program with metformin/placebo lifestyle intervention (for some participants) or both

Benefits

  • Potentially increasing your physical activity and improving your diet
  • Receive at least 2 meetings with a dietician
  • Contribute valuable information to medical research

Recruiter Contact Info: 713-792-5039 or MKBispeck@mdanderson.org

Project Weight

Description: The goal of this research study is to learn more about how attention and reaction to food and non-food images might differ between people with different weight histories. Researchers want to know if patterns in brain activity may be related to body weight and weight regain after weight loss. Flyer

Who is eligible?

  • English speaking employees and community participants between the ages of 18 and 50 years.
  • Individuals who have had always been at a healthy weight, have had trouble losing weight and keeping it off, or have recently lost weight.

What is involved in participating?

  • Telephone interview
  • Up to two visits to the Behavioral Research and Treatment Center (BRTC) for screening, body composition measurements, questionnaires, and brain responses to picture presentation. The BRTC is located on the second floor of the Dan L. Duncan Building (formerly known as the Cancer Prevention Building) by The Star landmark.

Benefits

  • May contribute information to medical research
  • There may be no benefit to participants

Recruiter Contact Info: 713-794-5494 or ProjectWeight@mdanderson.org

Latinos Contra el Cancer (CNP)

Description: The research purpose of Project Latinos Contra el Cancer (CNP study) is to improve diet and physical activity among men and women of Mexican Origin, who smoke. We want to learn if a wellness program can help improve diet and physical activity levels and encourage smoking cessation in Mexican-Americans who are overweight. To help improve dietary habits and activity levels, participants will receive a health assessment, health education sessions, and self-help materials. Participants will also be compensated for their time and effort, and nicotine patches will be provided at no cost. Flyer

Who is eligible? 

  • Be of Mexican Origin
  • Must be able to speak and read Spanish
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Overweight (BMI > 25), and
  • Have a valid home address and telephone number

What’s involved in participating and other FAQs     English      Español
Study Contact Info:  713-792-9123 or LCC@mdanderson.org

Move Baby, Move!

Description: A chair-based exercise DVD designed to improve rhythm, balance, and coordination. The DVD also incorporates rhythmic breathing, guided imagery, music therapy, and evidence-based movements.

Eligibility criteria: 

  • At least 18 years or older
  • Previously diagnosed with cancer (breast, colon/rectum, prostate, ovarian, uterine, endometrial, lung, brain, leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma)
  • Wheel-chair bound or have limited mobility
  • Have access to a DVD player
  • Speak English

What’s involved in participating: 

  • Participate in a 8-week DVD-based research intervention
  • Answer a series of questionnaires before and after
  • Participate in an assessment of mobility (if not wheel-chair bound) before and after

Benefits: Free exercise-based DVD and opportunity to contribute to a novel scientific study. There may be no benefit to you.

Study Contact Info: 713-563-2735 or Raheem.Paxton@unthsc.edu

The XTEND Lifestyle Intervention Program

Description: A web-based exercise and sedentary behavior research intervention for breast cancer survivors

Who is eligible? 

  • At least 18 years old
  • Previously diagnosed with operable breast cancer
  • Overweight or obese (BMI >= 25)

What’s involved in participating:

  • Participate in a 3-6 month web-based intervention
  • Self-monitoring
  • Goal setting

Benefits: Free access to a behavior change website, individually tailored messages, telephone counseling, exercise equipment (for those randomized to the physical activity condition). There may be no benefit to you.

Study Contact Info: 713-563-2735 or Raheem.Paxton@unthsc.edu

MyChoice

Description: This research study is a partnership between MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital and Texas Children’s Cancer Center to learn more about how to design a program that would promote healthy lifestyles among survivors of either childhood brain or central nervous system (CNS) tumor cancers.

Who is eligible?

  • 15-39 years old
  • A survivor of a primary brain or CNS tumor
  • Have internet access
  • Able to speak, write, and read in English

What is involved in participating?

  • Complete a one-time 30-45 minute web-based questionnaire designed to gather information on your eating practices

Benefits: Taking part in this research study may help future pediatric brain or CNS tumor patients. There may be no benefit to those participating.

Recruiter Contact Info: 713-794-1760 or mchang1@mdanderson.org

Upcoming Events

October 10, 2013
Cancer Prevention and Control Grand Rounds
Technology based approaches to obesity prevention and treatment 
Dr. Deborah Tate
8:00-9:00 a.m.
CPB 8 Rm 7 & Rm 8
Learn more

October 11, 2013
Energy Balance Journal Club
Animal Models and Physical Activity  
Dr. Rosie Schmandt & Dr. Zobeida Cruz-Monserrate
12:00-1:00 p.m.
FCT 3.4166 Rm 2 & Rm 7
Add Event to Calendar

October 15, 2013
Integrative Medicine Program Lecture Series
Why Do We Need to Invest in Dietary Chemoprevention? 
Dr. Robert Chapkin
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Hickey Auditorium (R11.1400)
Learn more

February 12, 2014
Center for Energy Balance in Cancer Prevention & Survivorship Retreat 
CPB 8
7:30a.m.-3p.m. 
Learn more


© 2013 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center