I've mentioned in other threads that I am on the e-mail list of the Army of Women, an organization run by Dr. Susan Love and backed by Avon to help breast cancer researchers by expanding the pool of available research participants. I received this today and thought I would post it in case anyone here knew of someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer recently and might be interested.

Start e-mail:

Many women experience a significant decline in their quality of life after a breast cancer diagnosis, due to stress, treatment side effects, anxiety, depression, or relationship difficulties. A research team at Talaria, Inc., a company based in Seattle, Washington, that develops Web-based healthcare management tools, has developed an online workbook that they hope will decrease stress and improve quality of life in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

If you were diagnosed with breast cancer within the past 18 months and are interested in testing this new online workbook, please read on! This study is open to women who live ANYWHERE in the United States!

If this study isn't a good fit for you, please pass this Call to Action along to friends, family members, and any other women you know who might be interested! PLEASE REMEMBER, if you don't fit the criteria for this study, there are many more upcoming studies and one of these studies might need someone just like you!

What's the study about?

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an online workbook for women who were diagnosed with an early stage breast cancer and who are experiencing increased stress related to their diagnosis. The 10-week web-based program, called "Coping with Cancer," teaches women stress management and relaxation skills. If they choose, women can also take part in an online support group.

What's involved?

If you agree to participate in the Coping with Breast Cancer Study, you will first be contacted by phone and asked to answer some questions about your breast cancer diagnosis and your stress levels. If the researcher determines you are eligible, and if you decide to join the study, you will then be asked to complete a series of questionnaires on a computer with internet access.

Next, you will be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) to one of two groups.

Group A:

Will use the Coping with Cancer online workbook for 10 weeks, completing one chapter each week.

 Will receive a small mp3 player in the mail that is pre-loaded with the program's relaxation exercises.

 Will complete a Weekly Participant Form.

 Will receive six phone calls during which they will be asked questions about their stress levels. During the final phone call, they will be asked to give feedback on the program.

* Will be followed for another 10 weeks and will be able to access the Coping with Cancer program during this time.

Group B:

 Will receive five phone calls and will be asked questions about their stress levels during the first 10 weeks.

 Will not have access to the online workbook until Week 11.

 Will receive a small mp3 player in the mail that is pre-loaded with the program's relaxation exercises at Week 11.

 Will receive a final phone call at the end of the study to give feedback on the program.

All participants in Groups A and B will be asked to fill out online questionnaires 11 weeks after the start of the study and at the end of the study (20 weeks).

The researchers need to enroll up to 130 women in this study.

Who is conducting the study?

Kelly Carpenter, PhD, at Talaria, Inc., in Seattle, WA

Where?

United States

Who can participate?

You can join the Coping with Breast Cancer Study if you match ALL of these MAIN categories:

 You are a woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer within the past 18 months.

 You have been diagnosed with stage 0, I, II, or III non-metastatic breast cancer

 Your cancer diagnosis is NOT a recurrence

 You are 18 years of age or older

 You have access to a computer with audio capabilities and internet access for at least 1.5-2 hours per week

 You have access to a telephone

 You have an active e-mail account

 You are able to read, write, and speak English

 You live in the United States

The researcher may ask you additional questions to be sure that this study is a right fit for you.

END OF E-MAIL

Here is the link to the Army of Women.