Science Café presents Dr. Shannon Nicks discussing “Improving Rural Breast Cancer Inequities: Is Psychosocial Health the Key?” on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 5 p.m. in the Front Room at Baker University Center.
According to Nicks, Assistant Professor of Social and Public Health at Ohio University, differences in resources to maintain psychosocial health may explain the additional challenges rural breast cancer survivors experience. Psychosocial health consists of the mental, emotional, social and spiritual dimensions of a person’s wellbeing. Nicks’ research investigates the needs of breast cancer survivors related to psychosocial health and compares the ability of rural and urban survivors to access and utilize resources to meet those needs.
Dr. Shannon Nicks
At her Café Conversation, Nicks will discuss differences in the psychosocial health and quality of life of rural versus urban breast cancer survivors and explore the role of social support in improving overall wellbeing. According to Nicks, social support is vital to maintaining the quality of life of breast cancer survivors.
“Experiencing a loss of social support can leave breast cancer survivors vulnerable to social isolation, stress, depression, poor adherence to care and worse psychosocial health. This is particularly concerning for rural breast cancer survivors given the inequities we see in their health outcomes,” Nicks said.
Science Café events are held on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. in the Front Room at Baker University Center. They are free and open to students, faculty and staff. Science Café is a venue for students to share their interests informally during a conversation exchange in a friendly setting.
The Science Café is hosted by Dr. David Ingram, Professor and Chair of Physics & Astronomy, and Roxanne Malé-Brune, Director of Grant Development and Projects in the Office of the Vice President for Research and Creativity.
Science Café and Café Conversations are sponsored by the Office of Vice President for Research and Creativity and the Ohio University Chapter of Sigma Xi.
Fall 2019 Science Café & Café Conversations
Sept. 18: Guy Riefler, Professor, Civil Engineering, “Cleaning up Pollution by Turing It into Paint,” A&S YouTube
Sept. 25: Felipe Aros-Vera, Assistant Professor, Industrial and Systems Engineering, I”Interconnected Networked Societies: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly,” A&S YouTube
Oct. 2: Rebekah Crawford, Visiting Professor, Social and Public Health, A&S YouTube
Oct. 16: Shiyong Wu Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry and Director, Edison Biotechnology Institute, A&S YouTube
Oct. 30: Shannon Nicks, Assistant Professor, Social and Public Health,
Nov. 13: Deb McAvoy, Professor, Civil Engineering
Dec. 4: Cory Cronin, Assistant Professor, Social and Public Health
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