A mobile-friendly breast reconstruction decision tool shared on social media and online groups

Dissemination of a breast reconstruction decision tool through social media and online communities

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11242072

Researchers are sharing a mobile-friendly breast reconstruction decision tool on social media and online communities to help breast cancer patients and survivors learn about options and choose what fits their preferences.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-11242072 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be offered a mobile-friendly version of BREASTChoice, a decision tool that explains reconstruction options, risks, and likely outcomes in plain language. The team will share the tool through social media platforms and online survivor communities to see how people find and use it outside clinic visits. The project focuses on reaching groups less often offered reconstruction, including Black and Hispanic/Latina women, and will track engagement and how well the tool helps people make choices that match their values. The work builds on prior trials showing BREASTChoice improves knowledge and decision-making but spreads the tool where survivors already talk and seek information.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Breast cancer patients facing mastectomy and breast cancer survivors who use social media or online communities, including Black and Hispanic/Latina women, would be ideal candidates to engage with this effort.

Not a fit: People without reliable internet or social media access, or those not considering reconstruction, may not benefit from this online dissemination approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, more patients—especially those from underserved groups—could learn about reconstruction and make decisions that better match their preferences, improving quality of life and body image.

How similar studies have performed: The BREASTChoice tool has already improved knowledge and decision-making in two prior randomized trials, but sharing it through social media and online communities is a newer approach.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Breast Cancer PatientBreast Cancer TreatmentBreast Cancer survivorCancer Survivor
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.