Feinstein Researcher Awarded $3.5M For Bladder Cancer Program

A professor at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset was the recent recipient of a five-year $3.5 million grant to help develop a post-surgical care program for stage II bladder cancer patients and their caregivers.

Professor Michael A. Diefenbach, PhD, was presented the R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Cancer Institute.

“Care after the removal of the bladder can be challenging for patients because there is a high chance for infection or complications since they’re dealing with the body’s waste,” Diefenbach said in a press release. “I’m thankful for the NIH’s support as our team, together with colleagues from Northwell’s Department of Urology, develop in-person and online educational resources for these patients to bring them back to their everyday lives sooner and to minimize medical complications through appropriate self-care information and actions.”

The study will focus on reducing the infections of bladder cancer patients, unplanned nurse/ER visits and improving quality of life for both patients and caregivers. It will be the first study to address the needs of bladder cancer patients and their caregivers.

The study will create an in-person pre-treatment education program for patients and caregivers that will be provided by a nurse or trained health professional. The professional will demonstrate the necessary tools and techniques needed for a treatments.

A recovery website, developed by Diefenbach, for bladder cancer patients and their caregivers will be part of the second phase of the study. The site will include important recovery information, videos about post-surgical care, testimonials by other patients and physicians and other educational resources.

“Dr. Diefenbach’s program will be evaluated over the course of 12 months and, if found successful, has the potential to be disseminated throughout the Northwell Health organization. This is an example of how the research we’re conducting here at the Feinstein Institute can have an immediate impact on patient care.” Image via The Feinstein Institute For Medical Research