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Peer Counseling Program for African-American Breast Cancer Survivors

SPIRIT Program Logo GraphicSisters Peer Counseling in Reproductive Issues after Treatment (SPIRIT) is a research study to determine whether peer counselors can help African-American breast cancer survivors by providing information, support and encouragement. SPIRIT is a partnership between M. D. Anderson and Sisters Network®, Inc. It is funded by the National Cancer Institute.

SPIRIT Program Art GraphicParticipants get information about menopause, sexuality, fertility and family cancer risk. This information includes ways to improve one's sex life and decrease hot flashes for breast cancer survivors going through menopause. Information for women who want to have children is also provided. Additionally, questions about fertility, pregnancy and the health of children born after a survivor’s breast cancer are addressed. Participants receive information on patterns of cancer in families as well as tips to encourage others to have recommended cancer screenings.


As of June 1, 2007, the SPIRIT study is no longer accepting applications for enrollment.

Participants
SPIRIT participants includes African-American breast cancer survivors who:

  • Were diagnosed at least one year ago or longer with localized breast cancer
  • Are not currently on chemotherapy (taking tamoxifen or other hormone pills is OK)
  • Are not currently receiving radiation therapy
  • Are not having breast reconstruction surgery within the next six months
  • Can speak and read English
  • Live within commuting distance of a counselor

Questionnaires
Participants complete questionnaires four times:

  1. At enrollment
  2. At completion of counseling
  3. Six months after counseling
  4. 12 months after counseling 

How does the program work?
Participants are assigned randomly (like the toss of a coin) to either: three sessions of counseling in-person with a peer counselor or 30 minutes of optional telephone counseling with a peer counselor over six weeks.

For those assigned to in-person counseling, the counselor meets the participants at home or other convenient location. All peer counselors are African-American breast cancer survivors who have been trained to provide support and encouragement. More than 30 peer counselors are available in locations throughout the nation.

Everyone receives a free workbook with information and strategies for coping with issues that often concern breast cancer survivors, including sexuality, fertility and family cancer risk.
   

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