Mary Jane Esplen RN, PhD

Toronto General Research Institute                                                               

Research Interests:

Dr. Mary Jane Esplen is a National Cancer Institute of Canada Research Scientist at the University Health Network. She is a clinician-scientist, Head of the Program of Psychosocial and Psychotherapy Research in Cancer Genetics at the Toronto General Research Institute and an Associate Scientist at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at the Mount Sinai Hospital. She is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, at the University of Toronto. with a cross-appointment to the Faculty of Nursing. Research Interests include: psychosocial and behavioral impact of genetic testing, group psychotherapy approaches to deal with coping, distress and improving knowledge and screening adherence, psychotherapy research, screening for psychological risk among medical populations, and the development of psychometric instruments to assess specific issues associated with genetic testing (i.e. impact on self-concept). In addition descriptive studies of grief, loss and psychosocial functioning among individuals with family history of cancer and offspring of individuals with genetic mutations are underway.

Research Themes: 

Cancer Genetics, Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Psychosocial Oncology, WomenÆs Mental Health, Psychotherapy Treatment, Group Psychotherapy,  Eating Disorders, Clinical Trials of Therapy/Behavioral Interventions; Feminist Psychotherapy, Psychological impact of having a family history of cancer, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Trials.

Activities:      

Dr. Esplen is a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO), as well as the Chair of its Research Advisory Committee.  She is a member of the Research Advisory Committees of the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance.  Dr . Esplen is also a member of the Advisory Committee for Genetics Health Services, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, and a member of the Genomics Advisory Committee of the Change Foundation. Additional committees include the Committee on Gender Issues, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, and Chair of  the working Group on training the  ôClinician Scientistö, Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto.

Background  and Academic Interests:

Mary Jane Esplen has a background in mental health nursing, psychotherapy, medical science, psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine. Some of her previous work has included psychosocial and behavioural interventions in the areas of Eating Disorders, HIV, WomenÆs Mental Health and Cancer utilizing guided imagery as well as group psychotherapy.  She has developed a clinical and research program focused on the psychosocial and behavioural aspects of cancer genetics and psychosocial oncology. Currently her research is looking at developing tools for clinical populations in cancer genetics, group therapy interventions and descriptive studies on measuring the adjustment, knowledge level and surveillance of individuals undergoing genetic testing.  Dr. Esplen recently completed an intervention trial of a support group model for women who carry BRCA1/2 gene mutations and is currently heading a randomized controlled trial of a similar intervention for women with a family history of breast cancer.  She is also leading a study investigating the impact of disclosing a BRCA gene mutation to offspring.