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Is Project LEAD® For Me? - Are you currently involved in the activities of a breast cancer organization?
- Are you interested in learning the scientific language and concepts of breast cancer to share with your community?
- Do you want to take a seat at the tables where important breast cancer decisions are being made?
- Do you have a personal connection to breast cancer?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, you should consider applying to Project LEAD. Return to the top of the page.
| | Which Course is Right for Me? The National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund offers several different Project LEAD training courses. Each course focuses on preparing advocates to engage and effectively influence breast cancer decision-making within different types of local and national forums. Read more about each of the three courses below, the topics covered, and subjects taught to find out which course you should apply for today! Return to the top of the page.
| | Project LEAD® Workshop
Learning the Science of Breast Cancer
The Project LEAD workshop is a new two-day training program for advocates interested in an introductory education in the science of breast cancer. Students will study the biological and molecular concepts that explain how breast cancer works and the research methods and study designs that allow scientists to discover newinformation and test their ideas. This workshop, open to everyone interested in learning about breast cancer, will teach students how to be critical thinkers and how to better understand the breast cancer science in the media every day. Graduates of this program will be better able to explain this information to their colleagues, friends, and family. Taught by renowned scientific faculty, this is a unique opportunity. For those who are excited about learning even more and working in research advocacy, applying for the Project LEAD Institute (see below) could be the next challenge. There is no registration fee for this workshop and travel and lodging scholarships are available for NBCC members in financial need.
Project LEAD® Institute
The Project LEAD Institute is a five-day science course that covers the basics of cancer biology, genetics, epidemiology, research design, and advocacy. This course provides a foundation of scientific knowledge upon which participants can strengthen and empower themselves as activists.
At the Project LEAD Institute, participants will:
- Learn the language and concepts of the science of breast cancer, including cancer biology, genetics, genomics and proteomics, the roles of DNA, RNA, and proteins, and the development of cancer at the molecular level;
- Distinguish between descriptive studies, analytic studies, clinical trials, and meta-analyses, and identify the extent to which each establishes causality;
- Acquire the skills to critically interpret scientific literature, and remain educated about scientific aspects of breast cancer;
- Become familiar with the wide range of consumer advocacy opportunities, and how breast cancer research decisions are made;
- Gain the necessary leadership and advocacy development skills to confidently participate in the scientific community as a breast cancer advocate.
The Project LEAD Institute is the result of an intensive curriculum redesign of the original Project LEAD course. This new course format contains the same content as NBCCF’s original, innovative science training course, but includes a number of enhancements including a mentoring program, advanced topics, a laboratory experience and 2 research seminars. The course has been slightly lengthened and designed to accommodate a larger number of students while still retaining a high student to instructor ratio with an emphasis on small study groups.
Some of the Project LEAD Institute core faculty members include: - L. Michelle Bennett, PhD, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute
- Kay Dickersin, PhD, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
- Michele Forman, PhD, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Molly Mead, EdD, MBA, Center for Community Engagement, Amherst College
- Robert Millikan, PhD, DVM, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Kirsten Hoysich, PhD, Roswell
- Diane Palmieri, PhD, Women’s Cancers Section, Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology
- Patricia Steeg, PhD, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute
- Susan Troyan, M.D., Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
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| | Quality Care Project LEAD® Creating Systems Change to Improve the Quality of Cares Quality Care Project LEAD is a four-day course that teaches breast cancer advocates how to improve the quality of health care for everyone through systems change. This course, part of NBCCF’s Quality Care Initiative, builds upon our vision of quality care to provide advocates the tools to identify opportunities and develop strategies for improving the quality of health care in their communities.
At Quality Care Project LEAD, participants will: - Become familiar with the science, language and concepts used in the quality care field;
- Learn the types, levels, and sources of evidence used in breast cancer care, and where the gaps in evidence are;
- Understand the design and methodology used in measuring what matters in quality care;
- Explore the US health care system structure and advocates’ role in systems change;
- Hear about NBCCF's vision of quality care and acquire tools to achieve it.
Graduates of Quality Care Project LEAD will help shape the national dialogue on quality care issues. They will represent NBCCF on state, local, and national advisory committees and technical panels focused on such topics as quality measurement and clinical guidelines. As we continue to work with key stakeholders in the health care system on our #1 public policy priority, Guaranteed Access to Quality Health Care for All, we will need trained advocates to help disseminate our framework and ensure that any legislative health care reform efforts adhere to our quality care principles.
Some of the Quality Care Project LEAD faculty members include: - Gail Amundson, MD, Quality Quest for Health
- Carolyn Clancy, MD, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
- E. Dale Collins, MD, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
- Kay Dickersin, PhD, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
- Joanne Howes, DDB Issues & Advocacy
- Kayla Kirsch, MS, Leapfrog Consulting
- Jeffrey Levi, PhD, Trust for America’s Health
- Carol Matyka, Up-to-Date
- Molly Mead, EdD, MBA, Center for Community Engagement, Amherst College
- Christine Norton, MA, Minnesota Breast Cancer Coalition
- Susan Troyan, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
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Clinical Trials Project LEAD®
An Advanced Course for LEAD Graduates Only
Clinical Trials Project LEAD is a four-day advanced course open to graduates of Project LEAD and the Project LEAD Institute and focuses on understanding and improving breast cancer clinical trials research. This course, part of NBCCF’s Clinical Trials Initiative, trains advocates to participate in all levels of the clinical trials process from evaluating trial design to serving on Institutional Review Boards and Data Safety Monitoring Boards. This advanced course is offered every other year.
At Clinical Trials Project LEAD, participants will: - Become familiar with the drug development process, and key terms such as accelerated approval and surrogate endpoints;
- Learn about the purpose, design, and endpoints associated with different types of clinical trials;
- Explore the similarities and differences in issues of clinical trials in the metastatic, adjuvant, and preventive settings;
- Acquire the skills to critically evaluate research protocols;
- Understand ethical issues in clinical trials such as autonomy, beneficence, and justice;
- Discuss the intersection of current trends in clinical trials politics and methodology with advocacy.
Clinical Trials Project LEAD graduates will represent NBCCF in research partnerships, at scientific conferences, and in other research settings.
Some of the Clinical Trials Project LEAD faculty members include: - Donald Berry, PhD, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Vernal Branch, Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation
- Susan Clare, MD, PhD, Indiana Cancer Research Institute
- Jeanette Ezzo, PhD, JPS Enterprises
- Steven Goodman, MD, PhD, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University
- Larry Kessler, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration
- Musa Mayer, MS, Patient Advocate
- Molly Mead, EdD, MBA, Center for Community Engagement, Amherst College
- Helen Schiff, MS, SHARE
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International Project LEAD®
Advancing Advocacy Development Around the World
International Project LEAD is a training course modeled on the original Project LEAD curriculum that covers the basics of cancer biology, genetics, epidemiology, research design, and advocacy. International Project LEAD was developed in response to requests by international breast cancer advocates, and in consultation with a wide range of advocacy groups and scientific organizations. Its purpose is to promote effective advocacy and the use of the principles learned during the course to advance the mission of ending breast cancer on a global scale.
The faculty members of International Project LEAD include renowned scientists from international academic and research institutions. The course is taught in English, and participants must be fluent in both the written and spoken language.
The first International Project LEAD course was held June 20-26, 2004 in Madrid, Spain. For more information on international educational opportunities, see NBCCF’s International Initiative. For further information about any of the Project LEAD training courses,
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Return to the top of the page. Project LEAD® is funded through a generous grant from The Avon Foundation. Project LEAD® is a registered trademark of the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund, a registered 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization. |
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