Together After Cancer
For the Latina Breast Cancer Survivor
Benefits of Participation
The study will allow us to see how the program strengthens couples and reduces the impact of breast cancer on relationships. Your participation will help us know how it works so that it can be available to help cancer patients in the future.
This program would be good for you and your partner if you:
- Want to strengthen your relationship after cancer
- Diminish arguments
- Improve communication
- Learn new ways to support your partner and each other as you navigate the new normal after cancer
- Rekindle the romance
- Improve emotional and physical intimacy
- Work better together
- Want to better understand your partner or how cancer is affecting them emotionally, physically, and/or psychologically
Is the Together After Cancer program really for me and my partner?
Yes! We adapted an existing program specifically for Latina breast cancer survivors and their partners. The original program has been tested with over 5,000 couples – 94% of whom were satisfied with the program and 97% of whom would recommend the program to their friends!
Continue reading for some testimonials from men and women who participated in the original program:
“The program helped me to see that there are situations we were not aware of and gave me tools to work on it...the support of the coordinator [coach] made a very important contribution. Thank you.”
“Excellent! The program helped a lot to save my relationship that was already a bit lost.”
“The one thing that really stuck out for me coming from [my partner] is that he's more vulnerable than he shows me. Seeing that side of him makes me want to show my love to him more, my appreciation to him more, so I feel like this program has made me self-aware of how I’m treating him.”
“He has shown me a side of him that I didn't even know was there. I not only appreciate him for doing this program, but I appreciate him being so honest about it...”
Program Participation
Together After Cancer is based on a program that made a big difference in improving couples’ health and well-being.
We have designed a new health program that is specifically for Latina breast cancer survivors and their partners. Participation is completely confidential and voluntary.
Couples will be randomly placed into one of two groups:
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First, complete three confidential online surveys and get information about resources. Then, after a few months, have access to participate in the Together After Cancer program.
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First, have access to participate in the Together After Cancer program's online activities. Then, get information about more resources and complete three confidential surveys.
The Together After Cancer program takes about 1 hour per week for 6-8 weeks. You and your partner will complete it primarily on your own, at your own pace. You and your partner will also have up to 5, twenty-minute virtual calls with a coach to help you apply what you’ve learned to your own relationship. Coaches are available for daytime, evening, and weekend calls.
The entire study can be done from the comfort of your home and at a time that works best for you and your partner. Couples will receive between $240 to $440 in gift cards for participating.
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Is the Together After Cancer program therapy or marriage counseling?
No, the Together After Cancer is not therapy or marriage counseling. It is an online educational program that typically takes 6-8 hours to complete. You can work through it at your own pace when it is convenient for you and your partner to participate online.
What are our chances of getting into the Together After Cancer program?
You will be randomly assigned— like flipping a coin—to either the program or to get information about resources. You have a 50/50 chance of each. Those who receive information about resources will have the opportunity to do the program at a later date.
Is the Together After Cancer program available at no charge to me?
Yes! Services are paid for by a federal grant. In addition to learning new skills, you get paid to volunteer your time!
I am interested in participation, but my partner is still hesitant. What can I say to convince them?
This feeling is very common. Here are some helpful tips to navigate a conversation with your partner:
- Frame it as helping to test a program that could help other couples impacted by cancer.
- Focus the conversation on wanting to improve your relationship, not your partner! Try to mention something you want to attempt to do differently.
- Give them space to think about it so your partner doesn’t feel cornered. Provide them with information and resources and ask them to look it over. Then, set a time to talk about participating in the program after they have had time to think about it.
- Encourage them to consider what they want to be different about your relationship. What should happen less? What should happen more? Mention that this program would be a good opportunity for the two of you to implement your desired changes.
- Put yourself in your partner’s shoes. What might make them hesitant? Do they think that everything is fine and cancer has not changed things? Reassure them that the program has been made for couples who have gone through cancer and that it can help with a large variety of issues. They don’t want to go to therapy? Good news—this isn’t therapy! Are they worried about your privacy as a couple? 90% of the program involves only the two of you. A coach is only present to help you stay on track.
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You may be able to participate if you meet the following criteria:
- 18 years or older
- Diagnosed with breast cancer in the last 10 years
- Identify as Latina
- In a romantic relationship for at least 6 months
- Can read English or Spanish
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Contact the study Principal Investigator, Dr. Dinorah Martinez Tyson, or our research study staff by emailing cophjdc@usf.edu or calling (813) 825-2788. You can also complete our survey and we will contact you back within 48 hours.
This study has been approved by the University of South Florida Institutional Review Board: #STUDY004181
