Survey links digital engagement to breast cancer registry interest

A study published in Cancer Causes & Control reports that 46.2% of women who contacted a national breast cancer-focused community-based organization expressed interest in joining a research registry. The research, which examined demographic, clinical, and organizational factors, found that this interest was associated with younger age, higher cancer risk, and a more beneficial experience with the organization. The study did not measure actual clinical trial enrollment but focused on the willingness of women to participate in a registry designed to support access to such trials.

The research team, including Ethan N. Eisenstein and Kenneth P. Tercyak, conducted secondary analyses on repeated cross-sectional surveys administered between 2022 and 2024. The data was collected from 2,389 women who had previously reached out to the community-based organization for information and support. The primary objective was to identify factors associated with women’s interest in joining a CBO-led breast cancer research registry, a step intended to broaden representation in clinical trials.

Among the 2,389 participants, 46.2% expressed interest in joining the registry, while 17.0% were unsure and 36.8% declined. These figures indicate a varied level of engagement, with a significant portion of the population remaining hesitant or uninterested. The study highlights that while there is potential for recruitment through community channels, a substantial number of women do not express immediate interest in participating in research registries.

The analysis identified several demographic and clinical factors associated with registry interest. Younger women were more likely to express interest compared to older participants. Additionally, women who were at a higher risk for breast cancer demonstrated greater interest in joining the registry. These associations suggest that personal health status and risk profile may influence a woman’s willingness to engage with research initiatives.

Organizational factors related to the patient’s experience with the community-based organization also influenced interest levels. Women who reported a more beneficial experience with the CBO were more likely to want to join the registry. This benefit was measured through indicators such as the quality of patient navigation services, the degree of empowerment felt by the patient, and the overall perceived quality of care. The findings indicate that the quality of support services provided by the organization is associated with research participation interest.

Digital engagement with the community-based organization was strongly associated with registry interest. The study found that specific digital behaviors, such as attending educational webinars, using the organization’s social media platforms frequently, and viewing content posted on these channels, were linked to higher levels of interest. These associations were statistically significant, with p-values less than 0.05 for the key digital engagement variables.

The statistical analysis included bivariate tests, ANOVAs, and MANCOVAs to assess the associations between the measured variables and registry interest. The results confirmed that the relationship between digital interaction and research interest was significant. The study suggests that digital tools, including webinars and social media, may be effective channels for engaging women in research registries, particularly those who are already interacting with the organization through these platforms.

The authors conclude that community-based organizations have a unique role in fostering breast cancer research participation. They suggest that specific digital approaches, such as hosting educational webinars and maintaining regularly updated social media content, may extend trusted CBO relationships into registry recruitment. The study proposes that online pathways allowing interested or uncertain individuals to request follow-up could help broaden representation in clinical trials.

The study is limited by its focus on a specific population of women who had already contacted a national breast cancer-focused CBO. The findings are based on self-reported interest in joining a registry rather than actual enrollment in clinical trials. The cross-sectional nature of the surveys means that the study identifies associations rather than causal effects. The results provide insights into the factors that may influence research participation among women engaged with community-based organizations.

Subject of Research: Associations with interest in joining a community-based breast cancer research registry

Article Title: Bridging gaps in breast cancer clinical trial enrollment: insights from a community-based research registry initiative

Article References: Eisenstein, E. N., Sleiman, M. M., Statman, M. R., Fleischmann, A., Noel, M., & Tercyak, K. P. (2026). Bridging gaps in breast cancer clinical trial enrollment: insights from a community-based research registry initiative. Cancer Causes & Control, 37(11), 184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-026-02273-7

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1007/s10552-026-02273-7

Keywords: breast cancer, clinical trials, community-based organizations, research registry, patient navigation, digital engagement, health equity, clinical research, Bridging, gaps, breast, cancer