Participant information sheet
Participant information sheet for the feedback survey. Click here to go to the survey
Contact Emma Davies edavies@brookes.ac.uk
You are being invited to take part in a research study. Before you decide whether or not to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully.
What is the purpose of the study?
This study aims to increase knowledge about alcohol use and the risk of breast cancer and to support women to reduce their drinking.
Alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of breast cancer, as well as having many other health impacts. Many people are not aware that there is a link between alcohol use and breast cancer.
We are aware that alcohol use and breast cancer can be difficult topics, and that it can take courage to share experiences relating to them. The research team includes women aged 40-65 who themselves drink alcohol and people with experience of breast cancer. Women’s drinking is a very under researched area, and we are inviting you to take part to help us to make positive changes and provide useful resources.
Why have I been invited to participate?
We are inviting anyone aged 18 and over to join the conversation.
Do I have to take part?
No, giving your permission and taking part in the study is entirely voluntary. If you decide to take part, you will be asked to give your consent before starting the study. If you decide to take part you are still free to withdraw at any time without providing a reason. Any data collected from you can be withdrawn, up to the point of submission of the survey.
What will happen to me if I take part?
We will ask you to take a look at our awareness campaign on our website and compete a short survey to have your say on the topic. This should take you no more than 10 minutes to complete.
Are there any risks involved?
It is possible that once you have taken part in this study you might have questions or want information about your own or someone else’s drinking. If this is the case, you can find further information and links to further sources of support at https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/
You might also want to know further information about cancer and support that is available. You can find further information and links to sources of support at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer/
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
There are no individual benefits to you, but if you choose to take part in this online survey then you will be helping to us to understand how we should communicate the link between alcohol and breast cancer, and how to help women to reduce their alcohol consumption if they chose to do so.
Will what I say in this study be kept confidential?
Yes. The survey results will be anonymous. You will not be asked to give any information that could be used to identify you personally (e.g., your name, date of birth).
What will happen to the results of the research study?
You will be able to see the results on the website by September 2024.
The results of this study will be summarised in blogs and media articles. They will also be written up for publication in an academic journal and presented at a conference.
We will also put an anonymised data set in a repository, such as the Open Science Framework, to assist with future research on this topic.
All the data collected from this research will be kept in keeping with the University’s policy of Academic Integrity. This means that all data will be securely stored in paper or electronic form for a period of 10 years when the project is finished.
Who is funding the research?
The project has been funded by a charity called Prevent Breast Cancer.
Ethical Approval
This study has been approved by Oxford Brookes University’s Research Ethics Committee (UREC committee number: 191269). If you have any concerns about the way in which the study has been conducted, you may contact the Chair of the Oxford Brookes University Research Ethics Committee on ethics@brookes.ac.uk
What should I do if I want to take part?
If you have read this information and would like to be involved then please provide your consent at the start of the survey.
Who can I contact if I have any questions?
Please ask the lead researcher, Dr Emma Davies if you have any questions or you want further information about this study. My contact details are at the top of this page.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this information sheet
Dr Emma Davies
February 2024.
Research Team Dr Emma Davies, Dr Jennifer Seddon, Lindsey Coombes, Cathy Liddiard, Fiona Matley, Professor Eila Watson