 Survivor
Serves as Consumer Reviewer for Department of Defense Grants
By Deanna Beyer, M.S., R.N.
Twelve-year breast cancer survivor
Those who have lived with, through and beyond the experience
of having cancer often develop a desire to help others who are newly diagnosed.
This has been described as the concept of the veteran helping the rookie.
Recently I had an opportunity to help on a broad level by
serving as a Consumer Reviewer for the Department of Defense (DOD) Breast
Cancer Research Program.
Several research panels met in Washing-ton, D.C., in August
to review more than 1,200 national and international research proposals
aimed at the prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast
cancer. Proposal review includes a two-step process of scientific and
programmatic review. Each scientific panel consisted of 20 scientists
and two consumer reviewers. Since the inception of the DOD Breast Cancer
Research program in 1992, over $1.04 billion has been awarded for innovative
research proposals. The budgeted amount for the current year is $175 million.
| "Researchers working with test tubes and
slides can become somewhat removed from the human side
of cancer. Consumer reviewers put a face on cancer and
have an ability to put fire in the belly of researchers."
|
The development of the DOD Congressionally
Directed Medical Research Programs was the result of grass
roots efforts and increasing public awareness. Because of
this, consumer reviewers, who are advocates for issues of
breast cancer, have been included on the decision-making panels.
As the medical director of the program stated, "Researchers
working with test tubes and slides can become somewhat removed
from the human side of cancer. Consumer reviewers put a face
on cancer and have an ability to put fire in the belly of
researchers."
In my own lifetime I have experienced the tremendous difference
medical research has made with the treatment of breast cancer. My mother
was diagnosed in 1950. At that time, treatment options were extremely
limited and basically consisted of radical disfiguring surgery or benign
neglect. Her disease progressed rapidly, and she died in 1952. When I
was diagnosed in 1989, I benefited from tremendous progress in treatment
that had been made as the result of medical research. I had multiple treatment
options from which to choose, and the potential for cure was very hopeful.
Progress for future advances in the prevention, detection,
diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer continues to be very hopeful.
It was very exciting to have an opportunity to have a voice in the selection
of research proposals that could have a tremendous impact on the future
health of women, including my own daughters and granddaughters.
The Cancer Center congratulates Deanna on being selected
as a consumer reviewer for breast cancer research grants.
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