The Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs’ (CDMRP) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) is a collaboration between consumer advocates and scientists that reviews and evaluates the merits of breast cancer research applications.

Researchers applying to the BCRP propose to end breast cancer for service members, veterans, and the general public through innovative, high-impact research. The BCRP fills important gaps in research by supporting groundbreaking research while encouraging out-of-the box thinking.

Many Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance patient advocates have served on the Department of Defense’s peer review committees. As a consumer reviewer, they are a full voting member (along with prominent scientists) at meetings to help determine how the $150 million appropriated by Congress for Fiscal Year 2021 will be spent on breast cancer research.

Consumer reviewers are asked to represent the collective view of patients by preparing comments on how they perceive proposed research will impact issues such as diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life.

LBCA Patient Advocate Gitte Joergensen, who recently served as a consumer advocate, shared that she found it to be a wonderful experience and a great way to get involved in advocacy.

She added, ”Serving on the peer review committee allowed me to gain an incredible insight into some of the most innovative research, while being an active participant and voice for breast cancer patients. My involvement with the BCRP not only taught me a lot, but it also showed me how much is being done to optimize prevention, treatment, and ultimately eliminate breast cancer.”

LBCA encourages ILC patient advocates to apply for and participate in consumer review and learn more about research advocacy and training opportunities. More information about the CDMRP’s BCRP is available on the website https://cdmrp.army.mil/bcrp/default.