Pink Outlaw — Press Release

Re: Consumer Participation on Scientific Peer Review Panels

For Immediate Release

SCIENTIFIC PEER REVIEW OF BREAST CANCER RESEARCH PROPOSALS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Breast cancer advocate Shannon Armstrong recently participated in the evaluation of research proposals submitted to the Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) sponsored by the Department of Defense. Shannon Armstrong was nominated for participation in the program by A. R. Threet, Administrator of the JPS Center for Cancer Care . As a consumer reviewer, she was a full voting member, along with prominent scientists, at meetings to determine how the FY09 appropriation by Congress of $150 million will be spent on future breast cancer research.

Consumer reviewers are asked to represent the collective view of breast cancer survivors and patients, family members, and persons at risk for the disease, when they prepare comments on the impact of the research on issues such as disease prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life after treatment. Shannon Armstrong was one of 40 consumer advocates who participated in the first FY2009 peer review meeting and provided comments and scores for research proposals. Commenting on her (his) role as a consumer reviewer, Shannon Armstrong said that "it was empowering to have a voice on breast cancer research and have the scientists actually listen to my opinion about the research proposals."

Consumer advocates and scientists have worked together in this unique partnership to evaluate the scientific merit of breast cancer research proposals since 1995. To date, more than 608 consumer reviewers have served on breast cancer panels alongside scientists in the review process. Captain E. Melissa Kaime, M.D., Director of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, expressed her appreciation for the consumer advocates' perspective in the scientific review sessions. "They have provided valuable insight into funding decisions and helped the scientists understand the consumers' perspective of innovative research. Likewise, the consumer advocates have been enriched by learning more about breast cancer through discussing proposed research with scientists and seeing the future hopes of successful research."

Approximately 600 breast cancer research proposals were reviewed for funds at this first meeting of the 2009 fiscal year. Scientists applying propose to conduct innovative breast cancer research aimed at the elimination of breast cancer. Proposals were solicited across all disciplines, including basic, clinical, social, and psychosocial sciences, as well as public health, economics, quality of life, alternative therapies, occupational health, nursing research, and environmental concerns.

More information about the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program is available at the Website: http://cdmrp.army.mil .

Media Contact:
Gail Whitehead, Public Affairs, 301-619-7783

gail.whitehead@amedd.army.mil

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