Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
Olfactory Behavioral Testing in the Adult Mouse
Published on: January 28, 2009
Recruiting young adult cancer survivors for behavioral research
Carolyn Rabin1, Santina Horowitz, Bess Marcus
1Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Miriam Hospital and Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 1 Hoppin Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA. CRabin@lifespan.org
Abstract:
Young adults have been dramatically underrepresented in cancer survivorship research. One contributing factor is the difficulty recruiting this population. To identify effective recruitment strategies, the current study assessed the yield of strategies used to recruit young survivors for an exercise intervention including: clinic-based recruitment, recruitment at cancer-related events, mailings, telephone-based recruitment, advertising on the internet, radio, television and social networking media, distributing brochures and word-of-mouth referrals. When taking into account the strategies for which we could track the number of survivors approached, recruitment at an oncology clinic was the most productive: 38 % of those approached were screened and 8 % enrolled. When evaluating which strategy yielded the greatest percentage of the sample, however, mailings were the most productive. Given widespread use of the internet and social networking by young adults, investigators should also consider these low-cost recruitment strategies.
Insights
Recruiting young adults for cancer survivorship research is challenging. Oncology clinics were most productive for screening, while mailings yielded the highest enrollment percentage for exercise interventions.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Survivorship Research
- Public Health
Background:
- Young adults are underrepresented in cancer survivorship research.
- Difficulty in recruiting this demographic is a significant barrier.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify effective recruitment strategies for young adult cancer survivors.
- To assess the yield of various recruitment methods for an exercise intervention.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated recruitment strategies including clinic-based, events, mailings, telephone, internet, radio, TV, social media, brochures, and word-of-mouth.
- Tracked the number of survivors approached and enrolled for each strategy.
Main Results:
- Clinic-based recruitment was most productive, with 38% screened and 8% enrolled.
- Mailings yielded the highest percentage of the total sample enrolled.
- Internet and social networking are low-cost strategies to consider.
Conclusions:
- Oncology clinics are effective for initial screening of young cancer survivors.
- Mailings are highly effective for maximizing enrollment yield.
- Leveraging digital platforms like the internet and social media is recommended for cost-effective recruitment.
Related Concept Videos
02:20Longitudinal Research
02:43Mouse Models of Cancer Study
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
02:59Cancer Prevention
Some...
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
01:20Comparing the Survival Analysis of Two or More Groups
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis