Planning for the CBCRP's Future: Behind the Scenes

Debra S. Oto-Kent, M.P.H., Chair of the CBCRP Advisory Council
Janna N. Cordeiro, M.P.H., CBCRP Coordinator of Special Projects

Envisioning and implementing the CBCRP priority-setting process has been a long and thoughtful experience. Culminating in exciting new directions, the process began nearly fi ve years ago. The advisory Council and staff identified the need to develop a formal, data-driven priority-setting process that would incorporate the perspectives and experiences of all those invested in and affected by the work of the California Breast Cancer Research Program. In March 2004, this process culminated in a three day retreat with former and current advisory Council members who convened to envision the future of the Program.

The advisory Council and staff formed a priority-setting committee in 1999 to lead the group through the process. Core values and assumptions of the Program were reaffi rmed. The group identifi ed long-term outcomes they hoped to accomplish from the work of the CBCRP, then identifi ed and prioritized ten priority-setting criteria, such as “the priority issue and/or award type helps to recruit and develop qualifi ed California-based breast cancer researchers.” These criteria helped guide data and information gathering, which helped the advisory Council decide on a process that would be fl exible enough to initiate changes on a yearly basis but also stable enough so that there was consistency between funding years. After the Council agreed upon this process, the priority-setting committee got to work identifying and gathering relevant data to inform the decision-making that happened this past March.

In the fall of 2002, advisory Council members began hearing from a wide range of experts about topics relevant to setting long-term priorities for the program. For example, breast cancer advocates shared their perspectives on everything from needed research in treatment to new, creative ways of conducting research. Breast cancer clinicians met with the Council about challenges faced in the clinic that they hoped the Program would address. Scientists and industry representatives presented potential solutions to the barriers of translating research into effective programs or drugs. Program staff compiled information about funding efforts of other major cancer funders and conducted evaluations of our award mechanisms. The advisory Council allocated at least two hours at each of our Council meetings to reviewing the data gathered and then discussing potential options for the future. The Program solicited community feedback by holding two “CBCRP Listens” sessions at our Symposia and creating a dedicated page on the Web site.

The last step in the process was the three day retreat of former and current advisory Council members to review and consider all the feedback and data presented to the Council over the past two years. During this retreat, Council members discussed and voted on the strategy they felt would best build on the strengths of the Program's past ten years, focus the Program for making the most impact, and incorporate opportunities unique to California.

As the Program moves forward, the advisory Council will examine the process used to set priorities and continue long-range planning. We welcome input from anyone invested in and affected by the work of the California Breast Cancer Research Program. To give us feedback, please use the CBCRP Listens page or contact Janna Cordeiro, Coordinator of Special Projects at 888 313-BCRP (2277).

The CBCRP commissioned three white papers on pressing breast cancer research issues in California to inform the priority setting process. The topics of the papers were:

You can read these papers on our website or you can request hard copies by calling us at 888 313-BCRP(2277).