An Efficient Resource to Accelerate Research into the Cause and Prevention of Breast Cancer: The Love/Avon Army of Women

Background: It is well established that more research into the cause and prevention of breast cancer is needed. While studies are done in cell lines and lab animals, translation of findings to women is often delayed due to difficulty in recruitment. The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation received a grant from the Avon Foundation for Women to form the Love/Avon Army of Women (AOW); an on-line recruitment resource designed to partner women with researchers in order to accelerate breast cancer research. Methods: Researchers submit a proposal to the AOW Scientific Advisory Committee. If a study is accepted, a mass e-mail describing the study procedures and inclusion/exclusion criteria is sent to the entire AOW database. Women sign up at www.armyofwomen.org to join and receive AOW e-mails about breast cancer research studies. Women self-select based on interest and study criteria, and undergo a secondary on-line screening before contact information is passed on to the researcher for the enrollment process. Results: Over 371,000 women have signed up, including survivors and women without a history of breast cancer, ranging from ages 18 to 100, representing all 50 US states and 49 countries. To date, the AOW has recruited for 70 studies. The diversity of the AOW members has proved beneficial for many studies, such as those needing to enroll racial/ethnic minorities, women of varying sexual orientations, or young survivors. A secondary goal of the AOW is to assist researchers new to research with human subjects. The AOW has successfully helped researchers cross the chasm, coaching them on what it takes to transition their research from animal models to human subjects. Conclusions: The AOW has proved to be a successful resource for scientists to accelerate accrual, expand the number and diversity of their subject population and to obtain exactly the type of specimens they need when they need it. This partnership between women and scientists has revolutionized research and accelerated efforts to eradicate breast cancer. The public is ready and willing to partner with the research community to find the answer to urgent clinical problems.