Important information about the Osiris study

Researchers:
Flinders University - Dr Belinda Lunnay (ph (08) 7221 7513); Dr Emma Miller (ph (08) 72218445) and Prof Paul Ward (ph (08) 7221 8415)

La Trobe University - Prof Carlene Wilson (ph 03 9496 9967

The University of Adelaide – Prof Megan Warin (ph 08 8313 4864) and Prof Ian Olver (ph (08) 8302 2648)

University of Huddersfield – Prof Paul Bissell (ph +44 1484 473074)

The University of Glasgow – Dr Sara MacDonald (ph +44 14 1330 8325)

Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Canada – A/Prof Samantha Meyer (ph +1 519 888 4567 ext. 39187)

We invite you to participate in an interview about what women think about the causes of breast cancer and the place of alcohol in their lives. We would like to chat to around 60 women aged 45 to 64 years who have never had breast cancer.

It is important to note that while lifestyle factors, such as alcohol, have been linked to breast cancer, this does not mean that all cancers are caused by these factors acting alone or together. There are a number of genetic, environmental and age-related factors that are thought to contribute to breast cancer development, however this study focuses only on potentially modifiable factors that may be implicated in some way.

What will I be asked to do?
Because we would like to speak to women in a range of circumstances, we will first ask you to undertake a three minute survey. You can complete the survey online from this page, on the phone (by calling 08 7221 7513) or you can email Belinda.lunnay@flinders.edu.au to ask to be sent a paper copy (with a reply paid envelope) – whichever you prefer.

The three minute survey will ask you for your age, current level of education, your relationship status, where you live, how healthy you think you are, your level of alcohol consumption (none/light/moderate or heavy) and whether you believe you are at risk for cancer. You will also be asked to provide your best contact details so that we can get in contact you.

If you are selected, we will ask you to volunteer for a face to face, one-hour interview with a member of or team at a location that is private and suitable to you – a room in a local library or community centre for example. The interview will be audio recorded and held at a time suitable to you. To thank you for your time, we will provide a $30 shopping voucher at the completion of the interview.

Please be assured that completing the survey does not oblige you to participate in the interview and you are free to change your mind at any time.

What benefit will I gain from being involved in this study?
Although there is no immediate benefit to you, from this research we hope to gain a better understanding of how to help reduce the number of Australian women that develop breast cancer in the future.

Will I be identifiable by being involved in this study?
We will only temporarily retain information provided in the survey that belongs to the 60 participants selected. After the interview we will delete all the survey information. Your audio recorded interview will be destroyed after it has been transcribed without any identifying information. No contact details will be kept and no information that identifies you in any way will be reported.

Are there any risks or discomforts if I am involved?
Because many of us know others who have had breast cancer, it is possible that discussing this issue may cause some people to become upset. If this happens to you, please remember you don’t have to answer any questions that make you uncomfortable and you don’t even have to finish the interview. The contact details of some services that might be useful to you are provided below.

Who is the researcher?
Dr Belinda Lunnay is doing the interviews and you can contact her on (08) 7221 7513 (belinda.lunnay@flinders.edu.au)

How do I agree to participate?
After this, you just need to read the acknowledgement comments below. If you agree, check ‘ACCEPT’ and then the three-minute survey will then start. Alternatively, you can contact Dr Belinda Lunnay (details above) to request a paper version of the survey or to take the survey on the phone.

Below are some services that you may wish to contact should you have concerns about any of the topics covered by this survey:
Cancer Council SA at cancersa.org.au/ or by phoning 8291 4111 (or phone the national
Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20)
Cancer Voices SA at cancervoicessa.org.au/ or by phoning 8332 5527

Alcohol and Drug Information Service - phone 1300 13 1340 any day between 8.30am and 10pm.

Lifeline - phone 13 11 14, open 24 hours every day

This research project has been approved by the Flinders University Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee (Project number 7429). For more information the Executive Officer of the Committee can be contacted by telephone on 8201 3116 or by email human.researchethics@flinders.edu.au human.researchethics@flinders.edu.au