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, treatment, and longer-term survivorship. Most of Dr. Bantum’s work focuses on testing interventions, with some work more mechanistic in nature by looking to understand components or impacts of interventions that are most potent. Dr. Bantum's work looks to impact primary health behaviors, such as physical activity, in addition to studies focusing more specifically on impacting psychosocial behaviors, such as mindfulness and emotion. 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 of these projects is a collaboration with colleagues here at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center on a series of Hula studies for breast, cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancer survivors. These studies have been biobehavioral, exploring the impact of culturally grounded physical activity on psychological and physical indicators of health. Dr. Bantum is more recently participating as a Community Action Council Member in the PIPCHE-funded Traditional and New Lifestyle Interventions for Breast Cancer Survivors (TANICA) project led by Dr. Esquivel and Aflague. Highlighting the things that lead to sustained health behavior change, such as engaging in what has personal relevance to cancer survivors is work that Dr. Bantum is excited to continue. One of the important keys to maintaining healthy behaviors is engaging in things that we enjoy. 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.