How Can We Reach You? An Overview of Establishing Effective Recruitment Strategies for Young Women Breast Cancer Survivors.

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.