About the Research for the Book
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Front Row: Lori Kem, Kimberly Hoffer, Kenneth Haugk, David Paap, Janine Ushe, Kevin Scott
Back Row: Robert Musser, Pam Montgomery, Joel Bretscher, Emily Noonan, Amity Haugk, Justin Schlueter, Rachel Remington
Not pictured: Scott Perry, Jeanette Rudder, Gary Voss -
A reader shares his thoughts about the book during a research meeting led by Joel Bretscher and Kevin Scott.
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Research team member Pam Montgomery speaks with one of the 1,037 people interviewed during development of the book.
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Dozens of manuscript binders, ready for shipping to the sixth round of readers, are laid out in Stephen Ministries’ warehouse.
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Emily Noonan is surrounded by manuscripts with feedback from cancer survivors, loved ones, and medical professionals.
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Staff members at the Stephen Ministries Center meet to discuss the progress of the book.
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At the printer, members of Stephen Ministries’ staff review the final proof copy of the book’s cover.
A Book Based on Extensive Research
Cancer—Now What? is based on much more than just Dr. Kenneth Haugk’s personal experience; it also draws on extensive research. He led a 16-person research team that dedicated more than 35,000 person-hours to the project over the course of five years.
In developing the book, this research team worked with 2,741 cancer survivors and loved ones of those diagnosed with cancer, as well as 820 medical professionals in oncology and other fields. The words, experiences, and expertise of these research participants contributed greatly to the depth and authenticity of the book.
What the Research Included
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Conducting 173 focus groups, where people shared their experiences with cancer and the wisdom and practical insights they gained, along with their thoughts about specific topics in the book
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Interviewing 1,037 people in person and over the phone, gathering in-depth information and responses to the book’s content
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Sharing portions of the book with 2,125 people to get their comments and suggestions
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Having 836 people—including 25 oncologists and 106 other physicians—read the entire manuscript from beginning to end and share their thoughts and impressions
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Collecting responses to thousands of written surveys focusing on people’s thoughts about key material
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Studying, discussing, and incorporating comments and suggestions from research participants in order to make the book as useful, encouraging, understandable, and effective as possible
The result of all this research is a book that’s true to people’s actual experiences with cancer—providing timeless information, practical ideas, and genuine hope.