Pathways to Recovery After Breast Cancer Treatment
Enrollment for this study is now closed. We are no longer enrolling new participants. Thank you
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are you doing this study?
In this study researchers will be testing if new methods and materials for providing breast cancer information to our callers are helpful to them. This new service will provide this information using either the Internet or a CD or an extra telephone call from an Information Specialist.
Who can participate in the study?
Participants will be women who call the CIS or use Live Help within 1 month prior to medical treatment completion for invasive, nonmetastatic breast cancer or within 6 months following treatment.
Who is funding the study?
This study is funded by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. The Cancer Information Service which is a program of the National Cancer Institute.
Who has reviewed and approved the study?
This study was reviewed and approved by the Human Subjects Protection Committee at each participating institution. This committee reviewed this study to make sure it was ethical, and that the benefits of conducting this study outweigh any possible negative effects.
What are the medical or research credentials and experience of the researchers and other study personnel?
The CISRC principal investigator and all the project leaders and co-investigators have years of experience in cancer research and have received several grants for cancer research from the NCI and other national and non-profit organizations.
How are participants’ information and data protected?
Personal information about study participants will never be shared or reported. Only summaries of what all people in this study say will be reported. We keep all participants’ information in one location on a secure database that can be accessed only by the study team.
What will be done with the results?
The results of the study will be used to understand if and how patients benefited from the new educational methods and materials on life after breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. This information is useful as it provides evidence that the new educational methods and materials can also help other women who have had breast cancer learn more about life after treatment.
Who will have access to the data?
Participant privacy is very important to us. Only the research team will have access to the data. Participant information will only be used for study purposes. Scholarly publications will not contain any personal identifying information
Will there be follow-up surveys after the first survey?
The first call /interview will take place about two months after the participants’ initial call to the CIS, and the second call will take place seven months later. Our researcher will ask questions about the study, the materials received, and how the participant is doing. If the participant agrees to continue being in the study we might contact them again for additional follow-up beyond 9 months.
How long will the study last?
The study started in 2008 and will end in 2009. Each participant who agrees to participate will receive two telephone calls/interviews from a member of our research team. The first call/interview will take place about two months after the participant’s first call to the CIS, and the second call/interview will take place seven months later.
Can potential participants talk with people already enrolled in the study?
Because we keep the contact information of all participants private, it is not possible to provide participants with the contact information of the people that are already enrolled in the study.
Are there any kinds of treatment, medical tests, or procedures the participants will have during this study?
This study does not include any medical procedures.
Can participants receive a copy of the results of the study?
This is an ongoing study and we expect to have some results that we can share in about 2 years from now. We will notify participants when study results are available and ask if they are still interested in receiving a summary of the study results.
Is this study a part of a clinical trial?
This study is not a part of a clinical trial of medical treatments. It does not include any medical procedures.
What are some of the benefits of taking part in this study?
Participants will have access to new educational materials designed to help patients learn more about life after diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Results from the study also may help other women diagnosed with breast cancer in the future.
What are some of the possible risks or side effects of taking part in this study?
Because this study will provide participants with information and ask questions related to their experience with breast cancer, there is a small chance that this study may cause them to feel anxious or worried. This might happen even though this study is designed to make our callers better informed about their life after treatment for breast cancer, and to help them with their cancer-related concerns.
Will participants have to pay for any charges?
Participants in this study will not pay for any charges.
What happens when this study is over?
After all of the interviews are completed the data will be analyzed. The researchers will present their findings at conferences and in journals. Audiences for the findings are likely to include women diagnosed with breast cancer, the professionals who serve them, and other researchers.
Where can people find more information about this study?
More information about the study can be found by calling: The National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service (CIS) at 1‑800‑4‑CANCER OR contacting the Project Manager or Principal Investigator.
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