How Can We Reach You? An Overview of Establishing Effective Recruitment Strategies for Young Women Breast Cancer Survivors.
- 1College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas (Parker and Bogan); Intimate Pathways Center for Sexual Health, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (Owen); College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas (Landes).
Abstract
Background
Young women (aged 18-50) breast cancer survivors often face troubling sexual side effects resulting from cancer and cancer treatment. Research interventions can target young women's unique needs, but recruitment for this population remains a challenge.Objective
We sought to determine an effective strategy to recruit young women breast cancer survivors for our remote, nurse-led sexual health psychoeducational intervention EMBRACE (Empowerment through Mind and Body Reclamation After Cancer Experience).Methods
Our 5 major recruitment methods were: (1) using a study website; (2) distributing a digital study flyer; (3) placing physical rack cards in 2 nearby states; (4) employing snowball sampling through word-of-mouth; and (5) sharing Facebook posts.Results
Sixty-four young women breast cancer survivors expressed interest in being screened. They learned about our study through Facebook groups (n = 24; 38%), Facebook pages (n = 17; 27%), word-of-mouth (n = 16; 25%), Google searches (n = 4; 6%), and undisclosed searches (n = 3; 4%). Of the 64 women we screened, 55 met eligibility criteria, and 53 provided consent (96.4%). We withdrew 4 women who did not meet eligibility criteria, resulting in a sample of 49 women.Conclusions
Sharing directly with established cancer survivorship Facebook groups was the most effective recruitment strategy.Implications for practice
Leveraging relationships using social media is the best method for recruiting young women breast cancer survivors. We recommend initiating contact with Facebook groups early in the development of the study.Foundational
Collaborating with partners on social media was the most effective recruitment method.
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BibTeX
@article{parker2026reach,
title = {{How Can We Reach You? An Overview of Establishing Effective Recruitment Strategies for Young Women Breast Cancer Survivors.}},
author = {Pearman D Parker and Tiffany A Bogan and Traci A Owen and Reid D Landes},
journal = {Cancer care research online},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1097/cr9.0000000000000088},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42847101},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - How Can We Reach You? An Overview of Establishing Effective Recruitment Strategies for Young Women Breast Cancer Survivors.
AU - Pearman D Parker
AU - Tiffany A Bogan
AU - Traci A Owen
AU - Reid D Landes
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/07
JO - Cancer care research online
DO - 10.1097/cr9.0000000000000088
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42847101
AB - Background Young women (aged 18-50) breast cancer survivors often face troubling sexual side effects resulting from cancer and cancer treatment. Research interventions can target young women's unique needs, but recruitment for this population remains a challenge.Objective We sought to determine an effective strategy to recruit young women breast cancer survivors for our remote, nurse-led sexual health psychoeducational intervention EMBRACE (Empowerment through Mind and Body Reclamation After Cancer Experience).Methods Our 5 major recruitment methods were: (1) using a study website; (2) distributing a digital study flyer; (3) placing physical rack cards in 2 nearby states; (4) employing snowball sampling through word-of-mouth; and (5) sharing Facebook posts.Results Sixty-four young women breast cancer survivors expressed interest in being screened. They learned about our study through Facebook groups (n = 24; 38%), Facebook pages (n = 17; 27%), word-of-mouth (n = 16; 25%), Google searches (n = 4; 6%), and undisclosed searches (n = 3; 4%). Of the 64 women we screened, 55 met eligibility criteria, and 53 provided consent (96.4%). We withdrew 4 women who did not meet eligibility criteria, resulting in a sample of 49 women.Conclusions Sharing directly with established cancer survivorship Facebook groups was the most effective recruitment strategy.Implications for practice Leveraging relationships using social media is the best method for recruiting young women breast cancer survivors. We recommend initiating contact with Facebook groups early in the development of the study.Foundational Collaborating with partners on social media was the most effective recruitment method.
SN - 2691-3623
ER -