Erin O'Carroll Bantum, PhD

Erin O'Carroll Bantum, PhD

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Full Member, Population Sciences in the Pacific Program (Cancer Prevention in the Pacific), University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Clinical Member, Translational and Clinical Research, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center

Academic Appointment(s):
Associate Professor (Associate Researcher), University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Degree(s):
PhD, Clinical Psychology - Emphasis in Health Psychology, Loma Linda University
MA, Psychology, Loma Linda University

Research Focus

As a clinical health psychologist, Dr. Bantum's research focuses on cancer survivorship. She is interested in understanding factors related to better adjustment to diagnosis and treatment, as well as longer-term survivorship. Some of her work has been conducted by implementing online interventions with the goal of positively impacting both physical and mental health.  Dr. Bantum's work looks to impact primary health behaviors, such as exercise, in addition to other intervention studies focusing more specifically on impacting psychosocial behaviors, such as emotion and mindfulness.  In Dr. Bantum's lab, the team she works with has been assessing the impact of a mobile app she helped to develop, Mindfulness Coach, on both anxiety and cancer related neuropathy for cancer survivors who have completed primary treatment.  In the future, she plans to combine social support and mindfulness in an online environment and hopes to also explore biological mechanisms of interest, particularly in our diverse population within the state.

Dr. Bantum is interested in projects that have direct relevance here in Hawaiʻi. One current project is a collaboration with colleagues here at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, which is a series of Hula studies for breast, cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancer survivors. This is a biobehavioral study that explores the impact of culturally relevant exercise on psychological and physical indicators of health.  Dr. Bantum is grateful to have the opportunity to promote the well-being of people who have been diagnosed with cancer and to particularly harness the power when people connect with others through similar experiences.

Selected Publications

Arnobit C, Loo K, Pagano I, Fukui J, Smith M, Braun-Inglis C, & Bantum EO. (2021). Recruiting cancer survivors to a mobile mindfulness intervention: Exploring online and face-to-face recruitment strategies. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Oct; DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910136.

Fukui J, Bantum EO, Meister M, Lim S, Marumoto A, & Pagano I. (2021). Breast pain in a diverse population of breast cancer patients. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice, July, DOI: 10.1097/OR0.00000000000055.

Yamada P, Teranishi-Hashimoto C, & Bantum, EO. (2021). Paired exercise has superior effects on psychosocial health compared to individual exercise in female cancer patients.

Kozlov E, Bantum EO, Pagano I, … Owen JE. (2020). The reach, use, and impact of a free mHealth mindfulness app in the general population: Mobile data analysis. JMIR Mental Health; Nov; DOI: 10.2196/23377.

Loo L, Nishibun K, Welsh L, Makolo T, Chong C, Pagano I, Yu H, Bantum EO. (2019). Using a cultural dance program to increase sustainable physical activity for breast cancer survivors- A pilot study. Complementary Therapies in Medicine; Dec; DOI: 10.1019/j.ctim.2019.102197.

Publication list via PubMed

Active Grants

E. Bantum, Co-Investigator; J. Acoba & R. Holcombe, (since 08/01/19), J. Berenberg, MPIs
NIH/NCI Community Oncology Research Program
5UG1CA189804-07
08/2020 - 07/2025

E. Bantum, Co-I
Hawaii Community Foundation
Pediatric Physical Activity (PePA): Understanding Best Practices in Implementing Physical Activity for Patients Diagnosed with Childhood Cancer; Online group physical activity intervention.
21ADV-109517
05/2021 – 11/2022

E. Bantum, PI
University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center Seed Funding, Strategic Investment in Translational Science
Mobile Mindfulness for Cancer Related Neuropathy
05/2020 - 04/2022