Dr. Topalian presented Becoming Research Ready at the Cancer Con Live event on August 15-18 in Austin, Texas.

Alique Topalian, PhD, MPH Research Scientist, Division of Survivorship & Supportive Services Department of Family & Community Medicine University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

There are very few conferences that focus on the adolescent and young adult (AYA) community for providers, researchers and supportive service professionals. Cancer Con is the primary conference for all members of the AYA cancer community. This conference brings people together and helps all participants grow through connection and community building. Whether you’re a patient, survivor, caregiver, or professional, there’s a session to meet everyone’s needs.

Becoming Research Ready helps people understand the most important aspects of research such as the various types of research opportunities and the 3 P’s (Purpose, Protection, and Participation). It is fun, comfortable and interactive while discussing research, which can be a controversial topic. The program goes through a real example of a current research study together as a group utilizing a decision guide that can be used moving forward to help inform their own future decisions about research. A patient is empowered when they have the right educational tools. Becoming Research Ready meets that need across diverse populations regardless of age, race, or educational attainment.

Since this conference is also structured for providers, researchers and non-profit professionals, Dr. Topalian hopes that participants from this field feel more engaged with the AYA community and their feelings about research.

Becoming Research Ready is one of Dr. Topalian’s favorite presentations to give. She hopes that the patients and caregivers leave this session thinking about research in a new way and that professionals leave looking to partner on new ways to disseminate Becoming Research Ready and other stories in the Reducing Your Risk health series that we have been working to co-design and expand deeper into the cancer population.

We are always looking for new community partnerships to help spread the word and train members of their own community! If you would like to get trained as a CRA, please reach out to topaliag@ucmail.uc.edu.