Pathways to Recovery
Posted 1/21/2010
Posted in
I have written before about Dr. Susan Love's new initiative: Army of Women. Here is an announcement about the newest research endeavor, beginning to study survivorship:
Treatment is over or coming to an end. What do you do next?
Women who have had breast cancer are the largest group of cancer survivors. More than 2 million breast cancer survivors are living in the US alone.
It's typically fairly easy to find information and support at the time of a breast cancer diagnosis and during active treatment, but what happens when treatment ends? Transitioning from active treatment into post-treatment can be stressful.
More than half of survivors report that they didn't feel they had all the information they needed to prepare them for completing treatment and entering this new phase of their lives.
As the saying goes, knowledge is power. The PATHWAYS TO RECOVERY study hopes to find the best way to educate women about their health and well-being after treatment ends.
If you've completed active treatment in the past 6 months or will be finishing treatment in the next month, please read about this study and consider signing up.
We first sent this study out in September and now have more than 600 Army of Women members taking part! We still need 450 more women! So, even if this study isn't the right fit for you, this is YOUR call-to-action too. Pass this e-mail along to anyone you know who may be interested!
What's the study about?
In an effort to find the best way to empower women with the information they need as they begin to live their lives after breast cancer, researchers across the nation and the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service have developed a study that is investigating the best way to provide post-treatment education materials via the Internet or CD-Rom, to breast cancer survivors. You don't even have to leave your house to participate!
What's involved?
If you join the study you will be provided with a toll-free number for the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service (CIS). You will then be asked to call the CIS at your convenience between 9:00 am - 4:30pm your local time, and let the Cancer Information Specialist know that you are interested in being part of the PATHWAYS TO RECOVERY study. You will have a brief conversation with the specialist and will then be provided with written materials through the mail or a multi-media education tool containing information about life after breast cancer, either on-line or by CD-Rom.
About two weeks after receiving the information, you might be contacted by the CIS to address your remaining questions. The specific materials you receive will be decided randomly, like the flip of a coin, but all approaches will offer information regarding life after breast cancer, including managing the effects of treatment and maintaining your health; dealing with emotions, communication, and relationships; and getting the most from your doctor visits. You also will complete a brief phone interview two and nine months later regarding how you are doing and your experiences with the materials.
Who is conducting the study?
Annette Stanton, PhD, University of California Los Angeles and the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service
Where?
Anywhere in the United States
Who can participate?
You can join the PATHWAYS TO RECOVERY study if you match ALL of these MAIN categories:
•You were diagnosed with Stage I, II or III breast cancer
•You have completed your primary breast cancer treatment within the last 6 months OR are about to complete treatment within the next month. "Primary" treatment includes surgery and/or chemotherapy and/or radiation. Although it is not required that you are taking any drugs, women who have completed or are about to complete primary treatment, but are taking Herceptin, Tamoxifen, and other such drugs are eligible.
•You have never been diagnosed with another cancer (breast cancer is the only invasive cancer you have had)
•You are over 18 years old
•You are able to speak and understand English
•You live in the United States
•You have access to a computer
The Information Specialist may ask you additional questions to be sure that this study is a right fit for you.
Yes, Sign Me Up
No Thanks
Recruit a Friend
Grow the Army of Women
Click here to visit the 'Avon Foundation for Women'
Click here to visit the "Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation'
Tags: