---
title: Involve people affected by breast cancer in your work
url: https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/information-for-researchers/involve-people-affected-by-breast-cancer-in-your-work
updated: 2026-07-14T13:45:26Z
---
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#
                    Involve people affected by breast cancer in your work

Breast Cancer Voices bring the voice of people affected by breast cancer to the heart of policy, research and care. They create change by participating in research studies, PPI opportunities, and other projects.

## In this section

- 1. Who are Breast Cancer Voices?
- 2. How can they help?
- 3. Where do I start?
- 4. Other sources of support

## 1. Who are Breast Cancer Voices?

The community has over **1,600 members** who all want to use their experiences of breast cancer to make a difference.

It includes:

- Current and former primary breast cancer patients
- People living with metastatic breast cancer
- People who've cared for someone with, or lost someone to, breast cancer
- Those who've engaged with family history services

>
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> Lived experience is so vital to give researchers insights. I was delighted to be involved in this project and I know my insight will lead to positive results.
>
>

Breast Cancer Voices member

## 2. How can they help?

We share approved research studies on our [public research studies noticeboard](https://breastcancernow.org/get-involved/volunteer-with-us/participate-in-a-research-study "Participate in a research study"). PPI and other opportunities are shared on our private Voices noticeboard.

All of the month’s opportunities, along with updates and case studies, are shared on the **fourth Tuesday of every month** in our Voices bulletin. You can look at an example of a [previous bulletin](https://e-mail.breastcancernow.org/q/1cHgKtZk0gfy/wv) to see what we share.

Occasionally, we may be able to identify specific individuals or groups to approach more directly – for example, if you need a patient expert speaker.

## 3. Where do I start?

Read our [Voices engagement guidance and terms](https://breastcancernow.org/media-assets/bn2hvb1s/breast-cancer-voices-engagement-guidance_final_june-2025.pdf "Breast Cancer Voices Engagement Guidance FINAL June 2025") for more information about:

1. What we can and can't help with
2. The different ways we can contact the right people for you
3. Our deadlines and lead times
4. The documents you'll need to provide
5. What we expect from you

Then simply complete our [engagement request form](https://BCN.questionpro.eu/engagement-request-form-breast-cancer-voices) with your details, copy and documents. **We usually need around 3 weeks’ notice** ahead of the bulletin mailout date.

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> Voices participants have shaped our findings, and how we approach the next stages of our work.
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Dr Emma Davies

## Contact us

Please get in touch if you need help with the form, or to discuss your requirements.

[Email us](mailto:voices@breastcancernow.org)

## 4. Other sources of support

## Useful sources

We can't offer advice or support with PPI beyond advertising. But you may find these sources useful:

### UK Standards for Public Involvement in Research

[UK Standards for Public Involvement in Research
                         to UK Standards for Public Involvement in Research](https://sites.google.com/nihr.ac.uk/pi-standards/home)

### Public co-applicants in research

Guidance on roles and responsibilities, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

[Public co-applicants in research
                         to Public co-applicants in research](https://www.learningforinvolvement.org.uk/content/resource/public-co-applicants-in-research-guidance-on-roles-and-responsibilities/?)

### Payment guidance for researchers and professionals

Payment and recognition for involvement, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

[Payment guidance for researchers and professionals
                         to Payment guidance for researchers and professionals](https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/payment-guidance-for-researchers-and-professionals/27392)

### Patient involvement toolkit for researchers

Cancer Research UK

[Patient involvement toolkit for researchers
                         to Patient involvement toolkit for researchers](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/funding-for-researchers/patient-involvement-toolkit-for-researchers)

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> Working with Breast Cancer Now has not only provided high quality, accessible PPI, but also enriched my experience as a health care professional and researcher - creating new opportunities to work with our stakeholders, promote my profession, and interact with patient experience outside of my routine clinical practice.
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>

Sairanne Wickers

                    Consultant breast radiographer at University College London Hospitals (UCLH)