November 15 | 2015
Ovarian cancer advocate and MIOCA Board Member, Janet Schuler, recently participated in the evaluation of research applications submitted to the Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) sponsored by the Department of Defense. Janet was nominated for participation in the program by MIOCA. As a consumer reviewer, she was a full voting member, along with prominent scientists, at meetings in Washington DC to help determine how the $20M appropriated by Congress for Fiscal Year 2015 will be spent on future ovarian cancer research.
Consumer reviewers are asked to represent the collective view of individuals with ovarian cancer and patients, family members, and women at risk for the disease when they prepare comments on the impact of the research on issues such as prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life after treatment. Commenting on serving as a consumer reviewer, Janet said that "It was an interesting and sometimes overwhelming task but I was excited to represent MIOCA and have the opportunity to do this."
Consumer advocates and scientists have worked together in this unique partnership to evaluate the scientific merit of ovarian cancer research applications since 1997. To date, more than 90 consumer reviewers have served on ovarian cancer panels alongside scientists in the review process. Colonel Wanda L. Salzer, M.D., Director of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, expressed her appreciation for the perspectives of the consumer advocates in the scientific review sessions. "The Consumer Reviewers on each panel are instrumental in helping the scientists understand the patient's perspective and provide valuable insight into the potential impact of the proposed project. They bring with them a sense of urgency and remind all of the human element in medical research."
For more information about the Dept. of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program, click here.
