Pelletier in Scientific Peer Review Of Breast Cancer Research

Pelletier in Scientific Peer Review Of Breast Cancer Research

Breast cancer research advocate Susan Pelletier of Stockbridge recently participated in the evaluation of research proposals submitted to the Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) sponsored by the Department of Defense. As a consumer reviewer, she was a full voting member, along with prominent scientists, at meetings to determine how Congress’ appropriation of $150 million will be spent on future breast cancer research. This funding program is managed by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command (USAMRMC) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Md. Since 1997, Congressional appropriations for the BCRP have totaled over $1.8 billion.

Pelletier and other consumer advocates represented the collective view of breast cancer survivors and patients, family members, and persons at risk for the disease. The consumer reviewers assessed the research proposals for relevance to issues such as disease prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life after treatment. The three-day review sessions were held in the Washington, D.C. area.

Consumer advocates and scientists have worked together in this unique partnership to evaluate the scientific merit of breast cancer research proposals since 1995. This year, nearly 60 consumer reviewers joined more than 350 scientists in the review process. 

Following scientific merit review by consumer advocates and scientists, the proposals then move to programmatic review. Proposals judged scientifically meritorious are evaluated by an advisory council of researchers and consumer advocates to determine their programmatic relevance. This process provides a priority list of breast cancer research proposals recommended for funding that is submitted to the Fort Detrick Command staff for final approval. The entire review process will be completed by November 2005. More information about the CDMRP is available at http://cdmrp.army.mil.

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