Research
We collaborate with researchers to understand why Black women face earlier diagnoses, later stages, and higher mortality rates from breast cancer. Using this data, we create interventions to address barriers and improve outcomes for Black women.
Current research partnerships and collaborations
Current Projects
Implementing Cascade Risk Assessment in Black Families Affected by Breast Cancer
Principal Investigator – Dr. Tarah Ballinger, IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
Patient Navigation to Improve Cascade Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer Syndromes in Black Patients and Their Family Members
Principal Investigator – Dr. Nawal Kassem, IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
Food For Thought: Study of Food and Brain Health in Women Being Treated for Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Principal Investigator – Dr. Tonya Orchard, Ohio State University
THRIVE NOW: “Testing Health Related Interventions: Voices of Equity Needed to Overcome Weight Bias in Obesity-Cancer Care
Principal Investigators – Dr. Shelley Johns, Dr. Misty Hawkins
https://publichealth.indiana.edu/news-events/_news/2025/2025-THRIVENOW_Study.html
Have you recently
completed treatment
for breast cancer?
We would like to hear about your experiences, thoughts, feelings and any barriers you encountered while going through breast cancer screenings, diagnostic tests and treatments.
Pink-4-Ever, along with Purdue University Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering are conducting a study about the process of care for women in Indianapolis diagnosed and treated for breast cancer.
Your voice could help lead to improvements to reduce breast cancer deaths.
WHO MAY PARTICIPATE?
-Black/African American or White/Caucasian women who were diagnosed with breast cancer within the last 2 years.
-Willing to participate in a 1-2 hour interview.
Participants in this study will not be identified.
If you have interests in enrolling in or learning more about this study, please contact:
Lisa Hayes: lisa.hayes@pink-4-ever.org
"Tracking the Process of Treatment Seeking in Black Breast Cancer Patients"
Yuewern Yih, Ph.D., P.I.
yih@purdue.edu. IRB Protocol #: 1811021261
Concluded Projects – Published Reports
ECOG-ACRIN EAZ171 – Prospective Validation Trial of Germline Predictors of Taxane-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Black Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Principal Investigator – Dr. Bryan Schneider, IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
Results published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, May 2024 https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.24.00526
As a result of this study, in January 2025 for the first time in history the National Comprehensive Cancer Network published a race-based chemotherapy treatment guideline.
“How is it going to help?”: Exploring Black breast cancer patients’ questions about biomarker testing to predict chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
Principal Investigator – Dr. Katharine Head, Indiana University Indianapolis
Results published in Elsevier/PEC Innovation, December 2023
Challenges Experienced by Black Women with Breast Cancer During Active Treatment: Relationship to Treatment Adherence
Principal Investigator – Dr. Silvia Bigatti, IU Fairbanks School of Public Health
Results published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, February 2023
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40615-023-01537-1
LEARN ABOUT OTHER LOCAL AND NATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECTS AND CLINICAL TRIALS
What's your reason why?
Life is so much better when you have a strong support system, like minded women and resources to aid in your journey.