Background and Education

My interests lie in women’s health, disparity issues, and behaviorally related risk factors that increase an individual’s chance of developing cancer.   As a member of the behavioral oncology lab I am currently working on projects in the areas of cervical cancer, Human Papillomavirus, smoking cessation, and breast cancer. Additionally, I serve as the Clinic Coordinator for the Behavioral Oncology Clinic. I am also a graduate student in psychology at the University of Louisville.

Current Projects:

Decision Analysis in Breast Cancer Patients
Self-Sampling for the Human Papillomavirus
Parental Acceptance of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine
Providers Practice Prevention: Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence - Dentists

Presentations:

Chagpar, A. C.,Thomas, S. D., Matthews, S., McMasters, K., and Studts, J. L. (2006). Patients’ perspectives on chemotherapy: What consequences are most important? Poster to be presented at the 29th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio, Texas.

Studts, J. L., Thomas, S. D., LaJoie, A. S., McMasters, K. M., & Chagpar, A. B. (2006).  Patient safety and benefits of decision making research shortly following cancer diagnosis. Poster to be presented at 28th annual meeting of the Society of Medical Decision Making, Boston, MA.

Thomas, S.D., Edwards, R. P., and Studts, J. L., (2006). Patient preferences and attitudes toward HPV-DNA self-sampling.  Poster presented at the 27th annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, San Francisco, CA.

Thomas, S. D., Marmorato, J. L., Edwards, R. P., Okeke, R., Jenson, A. B., Miller, D. M., Helm, C. W., Metzinger, D., & Studts, J. L. (2005). Patient attitudes toward self-sampling for HPV-DNA testing. Poster presented at the Society of Gynecological Oncology, Miami, FL.

Worth, C. T., Walsh, S., Studts, J., Thomas, S. D., & Sorrell, C. (2005). Treating tobacco use: A CE program for dental professionals in the number one tobacco state.  Presented at the 39th annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Education, Cincinnati, OH.

Thomas, S. D., Worth, C. T., Studts, J. L., & Sorrell, C. L. (2004). Knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices involving tobacco cessation among Kentucky dentists.    Poster presented at the 3rd International Scientific Meeting of the International Society for the Prevention of Tobacco Induced Diseases, Louisville, KY.