Research Abstract
Dr. Irwin’s research interests focus on understanding health disparities for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). Dr. Irwin is interested in understanding why people with SMI including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are more likely to die from cancer and in developing interventions to improve cancer outcomes throughout the continuum of cancer care including prevention, early detection, treatment, and end-of-life care. She is investigating communication about smoking cessation, perceptions of cancer risk, and cancer screening in individuals with schizophrenia. She conducted a retrospective cohort study investigating inequities in cancer treatment for patients with severe mental illness and completed a qualitative study of oncology and mental health clinicians examining barriers to cancer care for people with schizophrenia. With support from the American Cancer Society, she piloted an intervention incorporating proactive psychiatry consultation and case management for individuals with severe mental illness and cancer and is now preparing to lead a follow-up randomized trial.