| Karen M. Basen-Engquist, Ph.D., M.P.H. |
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Adjunct Professor, Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX
Adjunct Professor, Department of Kinesiology, Rice University, Houston, TX
Bio Statement
Karen Basen-Engquist, B.A., M.P.H., Ph.D., is a Professor of Behavioral Science in the Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
As a psychologist, Dr. Basen-Engquist’s primary area of research interest is developing and testing health behavior interventions for cancer survivors to improve their physical function, quality of life, and health outcomes. Her research includes how exercise and diet affect cancer survivors' physical and emotional well-being, development of interventions to help cancer survivors adopt more physically active lifestyles, and innovative real-time methods of assessing fatigue and other symptoms in patients with and survivors of cancer. She has a study funded by the NCI to investigate the mechanisms of exercise adoption and maintenance in endometrial cancer survivors using a social cognitive theory model that tests the social, physiological, and behavioral predictors of exercise self-efficacy. In addition to studies that seek to better understand health behavior adoption, she is studying whether exercise and dietary interventions can reduce the negative sequelae of cancer and cancer treatment. For example, a Lance Armstrong Foundation study evaluated the feasibility of using diet and exercise for weight-gain prevention in women receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. She also is currently collaborating with Dr. Lenihan (Department of Cardiology) on a pilot study of a lifestyle intervention for cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced heart failure.
She also directs the Patient-Reported Outcomes, Population, and Survey Research (PROSPR) Shared Resource. PROSPR is a CCSG-supported shared resource that assists investigators who are conducting research involving patient-reported outcome, behavioral, and psychosocial data. She assists investigators in identifying appropriate questionnaires and measurement tools, designing data-collection protocols, developing tracking and questionnaire data-entry databases, creating computer-assisted assessment tools and Internet surveys, and performing psychometric analyses.
Research Interests
Exercise
Cancer Survivors
Quality of Life
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education | |
| 1990 | University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, MPH, Health Promotion/Health Education |
| 1989 | The University of Texas, Austin, TX, PHD, Psychology |
| 1982 | Saint Olaf College, Northfield, MN, BA, Psychology |
Experience/Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Director, Patient Reported Outcomes, Survey, and Population Research (PROSPR) Shared Resource, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 7/2003-present
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Member - Committee On Living Well With Chronic Disease, Institute of Medicine, Washington, DC, 1/2011-present
Member, Task Force on Behavioral Science and Cancer, American Association for Cancer Research, Philadelphia, PA, 9/2008-present
Member, Gynecologic Cancer Steering Committee, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, 3/2008-8/2010
Alternate Member and Liaison to the Gynecologic Cancer Steering Committee, Symptom Management and Quality of Life Committee, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, 3/2008-8/2010
Advisory Committee Member, Cancer Prevention Training Grant (NCI R25T), University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, 1/2007-present
Steering Committee Member, Cancer Special Interest Group, Society of Behavioral Medicine, Milwaukee, WI, 2007-2009
Member and liaison to Quality of Life Committee, Cancer Prevention and Control Committee, Gynecologic Oncology Group, Philadelphia, PA, 1/2004-present
Honors and Awards
| 2007 | Nominee, Robert M. Chamberlain Distinguished Mentor Award, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2006 | Nominee, Robert M. Chamberlain Distinguished Mentor Award, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2005-2006 | M.D. Anderson Faculty Leadership Academy, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2004 | Citation Paper, 25th Annual Meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles | |
| 1. | Carmack CL, Basen-Engquist K, Gritz ER. Survivors at higher risk for adverse late outcomes due to psychosocial and behavioral risk factors. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 20(10):2068-77, 10/2011. PMID: 21980014. |
| 2. | Jovanovic JL, Hughes DC, Baum GP, Carmack C, Greisinger AJ, Basen-Engquist K. Accelerometry and self-report in sedentary populations. Am J Health Behav 35(1):71-80, Jan-Feb, 1/2011. PMID: 20950160. |
| 3. | Basen-Engquist K, Carmack CL, Perkins H, Hughes D, Serice S, Scruggs S, Pinto B, Waters A. Design of the steps to health study of physical activity in survivors of endometrial cancer: testing a social cognitive theory model. Psychol Sport Exerc 12(1):27-35, 1/2011. PMCID: PMC3014624. |
| 4. | Masse LC, Nigg CR,Basen-Engquist K, Atienza AA. Understanding the mechanism of physical activity behavior change: challenges and a call for action. Psychology of Sport and Exercise 12(1):1-6, 2011. |
| 5. | Hughes D, Baum G, Jovanovic J, Carmack C, Greisinger A, Basen-Engquist K. An acute exercise session increases self-efficacy in sedentary endometrial cancer survivors and controls. J Phys Act Health 7(6):784-793, 11/2010. PMID: 21088310. |
| 6. | Perkins HY, Waters AJ, Baum GP, Basen-Engquist KM. Outcome expectations, expectancy accessibility, and exercise in endometrial cancer survivor. J Sport Exerc Psychol 31(6):776-785, 12/2009. PMID: 20384012. |
| 7. | Shinn EH, Taylor CL, Kilgore K, Valentine A, Bodurka DC, Kavanagh J, Sood A, Li Y, Basen-Engquist K. Associations with worry about dying and hopelessness in ambulatory ovarian cancer patients. Palliat Support Care 7(3):299-306, 9/2009. PMID: 19788771. |
| 8. | Ashida S, Palmquist AE, Basen-Engquist K, Singletary SE, Koehly LM. Changes in female social network systems and adaptation after breast cancer diagnosis: differences between older and younger patients. Gerontologist 49(4):549-59, 8/2009. e-Pub 5/22/2009. PMCID: PMC2733765. |
| 9. | Perkins HY, Baum GP, Taylor CL, Basen-Engquist KM. Effects of treatment factors, comorbidities and health-related quality of life on self-efficacy for physical activity in cancer survivors. Psychooncology 18(4):405-411, 4/2009. PMID: 19241489. |
| 10. | Hannon P, Lloyd GP, Viswanath K, Smith T, Basen-Engquist K, Vernon SW, Turner G, Hesse BW, Crammer C, von Wagner C, Backinger CL. Mass media and marketing communication promoting primary and secondary cancer prevention. J Health Commun 14(Suppl 1):30-7, 2009. NIHMSID: NIHMS380850. |
| 11. | Basen-Engquist K, Hughes D, Perkins H, Shinn E, Taylor CC. Dimensions of physical activity and their relationship to physical and emotional symptoms. J Cancer Surviv 2(4):253-261, 12/2008. e-Pub 10/2008. PMID: 18923906. |
| 12. | Pruitt SL, Parker PA, Follen M, Basen-Engquist K. Communicating colposcopy results: what do patients and providers discuss? J Low Genit Tract Dis 12(2):95-102, 4/2008. PMID: 18369302. |
| 13. | Bast RC, Thigpen JT, Arbuck SG, Basen-Engquist K, Burke LB, Freedman R, Horning SJ, Ozols R, Rustin GJ, Spriggs D, Wenzel LB, Pazdur R. Clinical trial endpoints in ovarian cancer: report of an FDA/ASCO/AACR public workshop. Gynecol Oncol 107(2)(2):173-176, 11/2007. PMID: 17950384. |
| 14. | Parker PA, Youssef A, Walker S, Basen-Engquist K, Cohen L, Gritz ER, Wei QX, Robb GL. Short-term and long-term psychosocial adjustment and quality of life in women undergoing different surgical procedures for breast cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 14(11):3078-3089, 11/2007. e-Pub 6/2007. PMID: 17574501. |
| 15. | Carmack Taylor CL, Kulik J, Badr H, Smith M, Basen-Engquist K, Penedo F, Gritz ER. A social comparison theory analysis of group composition and efficacy of cancer support programs. Soc Sci Med 65(2):262-273, 7/2007. e-Pub 4/2007. PMID: 17448580. |
| 16. | Swartz RJ, de Moor C, Cook KF, Fouladi RT, Basen-Engquist K, Eng C, Carmack Taylor CL. Mode effects in the center for epidemiologic studies depression (CES-D) scale: personal digital assistant vs. paper and pencil administration. Qual Life Res 16(5):803-13, 6/2007. e-Pub 2/2007. PMID: 17295102. |
| 17. | Basen-Engquist K, Fouladi RT, Cantor SB, Shinn E, Sui D, Sharman M, Follen M. Patient assessment of tests to detect cervical cancer. Int J Technol Assess Health Care 23(2):240-247, 2007. PMID: 17493310. |
| 18. | Basen-Engquist K, Taylor CL, Rosenblum C, Smith MA, Shinn EH, Greisinger A, Gregg X, Massey P, Valero V, Rivera E. Randomized pilot test of a lifestyle physical activity intervention for breast cancer survivors. Patient Educ Couns 64(1-3):225-34, 12/2006. e-Pub 7/2006. PMID: 16843633. |
| 19. | Badr H, Basen-Engquist K, Carmack Taylor CL, de Moor C. Mood states associated with transitory physical symptoms among breast and ovarian cancer survivors. J Behav Med 29(5):461-75, 10/2006. e-Pub 5/17/2006. PMID: 16705484. |
| 20. | de Moor JS, de Moor CA, Basen-Engquist K, Kudelka A, Bevers MW, Cohen L. Optimism, distress, health-related quality of life, and change in cancer antigen 125 among patients with ovarian cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Psychosom Med 68(4):555-62, Jul-Aug, 7/2006. PMID: 16868264. |
| 21. | Cantor SB, Levy LB, Cárdenas-Turanzas M, Basen-Engquist K, Le T, Beck JR, Follen M. Collecting direct non-health care and time cost data: application to screening and diagnosis of cervical cancer. Med Decis Making 26(3):265-72, May-Jun, 5/2006. PMID: 16751325. |
| 22. | Canada AL, Parker PA, de Moor JS, Basen-Engquist K, Ramondetta LM, Cohen L. Active coping mediates the association between religion/spirituality and quality of life in ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol 101(1):102-7, 4/2006. e-Pub 10/26/2005. PMID: 16256181. |
| 23. | Parker PA, Cohen L, Bhadkamkar VA, Babaian RJ, Smith MA, Gritz ER, Basen-Engquist KM. Demographic and past screening behaviors of men attending a free community screening program for prostate cancer. Health Promot Pract 7(2):213-20, 4/2006. PMID: 16585144. |
| 24. | Ho V, Yamal JM, Atkinson EN, Basen-Engquist K, Tortolero-Luna G, Follen M. Predictors of breast and cervical screening in Vietnamese women in Harris County, Houston, Texas. Cancer Nurs 28(2):119-29; quiz 130-1, Mar-Apr, 3/2005. PMID: 15815181. |
| 25. | Follen M, Crain S, MacAulay C, Basen-Engquist K, Cantor SB, Cox D, Atkinson EN, MacKinnon N, Guillaud M, Richards-Kortum R. Optical technologies for cervical neoplasia: update of an NCI program project grant. Clin Adv Hematol Oncol 3(1):41-53, 1/2005. PMID: 16166967. |
| 26. | Nath A, Rivoire K, Chang S, West L, Cantor SB, Basen-Engquist K, Adler-Storthz K, Cox DD, Atkinson EN, Staerkel G, MacAulay C, Richards-Kortum R, Follen M. A pilot study for a screening trial of cervical fluorescence spectroscopy. Int J Gynecol Cancer 14(6):1097-107, Nov-Dec, 11/2004. PMID: 15571615. |
| 27. | Ramondetta LM, Tortolero-Luna G, Bodurka DC, Sills D, Basen-Engquist K, Gano J, Levenback C. Approaches for end-of-life care in the field of gynecologic oncology: an exploratory study. Int J Gynecol Cancer 14(4):580-8, Jul-Aug, 7/2004. PMID: 15304150. |
| 28. | Carmack Taylor CL, Basen-Engquist K, Shinn EH, Bodurka DC. Predictors of sexual functioning in ovarian cancer patients. J Clin Oncol 22(5):881-9, 3/1/2004. PMID: 14990644. |
| 29. | Navo MA, Phan J, Vaughan C, Palmer JL, Michaud L, Jones KL, Bodurka DC, Basen-Engquist K, Hortobagyi GN, Kavanagh JJ, Smith JA. An assessment of the utilization of complementary and alternative medication in women with gynecologic or breast malignancies. J Clin Oncol 22(4):671-7, 2/15/2004. PMID: 14966090. |
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Pilot test of a lifestyle intervention arm in an endometrial cancer prevention trial: Effects on endometrial proliferation and related biomarkers |
| Funding Source: | Duncan Family Institute |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Duration: | 8/1/2011 - 7/31/2013 |
| Title: | Multimodal therapy for the treatment of fatigue in patients with Cancer |
| Funding Source: | American Cancer Society (ACS) |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Principal Investigator: | Sriram Yennu |
| Duration: | 7/1/2011 - 6/30/2014 |
| Title: | Transdisciplinary Research in Energy Balance: Multi-Level Influences on Physical Activity, Diet, and Obesity |
| Funding Source: | Duncan Family Institute |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Duration: | 8/31/2010 - 8/30/2012 |
| Title: | Yoga for women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Principal Investigator: | Cohen, L |
| Duration: | 4/1/2010 - 3/31/2016 |
| Title: | CYCORE: CYberinfrastructure for Comparative Effectiveness Research |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator - Multiple PI |
| Principal Investigator: | Peterson - Corresponding |
| Duration: | 9/30/2009 - 8/31/2012 |
| Title: | Adherence to Swallowing Rehabilitation Exercises in Head and Neck Cancer |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDCR |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Principal Investigator: | Eileen Shinn |
| Duration: | 9/18/2009 - 8/31/2014 |
| Title: | Cancer Center Support Grant (Core) Grant - Patient Report Outcome, Survey, and Population Resources (PROSPR) Shared Resource |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Shared Resource Director |
| Principal Investigator: | DePinho |
| Duration: | 9/8/2009 - 6/30/2013 |
| Title: | Oncologist-Assisted Home Exercise Program For Advanced Colon Cancer Patients |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Duration: | 8/14/2009 - 7/31/2012 |
| Title: | Take Heart: Exercise & Diet Intervention for Heart Failure in Cancer Survivors |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Duration: | 4/1/2009 - 2/28/2013 |
| Title: | Exercise in Hispanic Breast Cancer Survivors |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Project Leader |
| Principal Investigator: | Dubois |
| Duration: | 2/1/2009 - 1/31/2012 |
| Title: | Determinants of Exercise Adherence for Hispanic Cancer Survivors |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Mentor |
| Principal Investigator: | Hughes, D. |
| Duration: | 9/3/2008 - 8/31/2011 |
| Title: | Biobehavioral Effects of Qigong During Treatment for Rectal in Cancer |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Principal Investigator: | Cohen, L. |
| Duration: | 4/1/2008 - 3/31/2012 |
| Title: | Social Cognitive Theory and PA after Endometrial Cancer |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Duration: | 9/1/2004 - 8/31/2011 |
Last updated: 2/23/2012
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