Shift Work and Breast Cancer Risk
This initiative aims to: determine whether breast cancer risk is higher among individuals in the workforce who occupy low-wage hourly positions with histories of unpredictable shifts (i.e., those controlled by employers) [Project type 1]; and develop intervention(s) for known risk(s) associated with night shift work and test for intervention feasibility and acceptability [Project type 2].
For both types of project, we are expecting investigators to collaborate with workers/community members using community-partnered participatory research methods (CPPR) for the development of study questions and protocols and interpretation (including language) and dissemination of results.
CBCRP intends to fund up to two projects with a maximum duration of two years at a maximum total direct cost of $300,000 for Project 1 and $350,000 for Project 2.
Download the RFP below:
Full Request for Proposals (RFP)
This is a recompetition of this Initiative. Application materials will be available through CBCRP's SmartSimple application and grant management system on December 1, 2023.
Applications must be submitted by 12:00 Noon PT on Friday, March 1, 2024.
APPLICATION ORIENTATION WEBINAR
This is a recompetition of this Initiative. We held a webinar on Monday May 22, 2023 at which we described the requirements for this funding opportunity and provided an orientation for the navigating the application process in SmartSimple. Slides and video of this webinar are available below. Note the new deadline for applications is Friday March 1, 2024:
For questions or more information, contact CBCRP Program Officer Sharima Rasanayagam, Ph.D. at sharima.rasanayagam@ucop.edu.
Research Questions, Approaches and Methods
The first research aim is to determine whether breast cancer risk is higher among individuals who work in low-wage hourly jobs with histories of unpredictable shifts (i.e., those controlled by employers) than the general population. This work will likely require the use of existing large datasets and secondary data analysis. The second research aim seeks to develop intervention(s) for known breast cancer risk(s) associated with night shift work and test for intervention feasibility and acceptability. This may require original data collection and may require qualitative and quantitative approaches.
For both types of projects, we are expecting investigators to collaborate with workers/community members using community-partnered participatory research methods (CPPR) for the development of study questions and protocols and interpretation (including language) and dissemination of results. Proposals should outline the strategies that will be used to connect with the communities.
Project 1: Low-wage Shift Work and Breast Cancer
Specific aim: Determine whether breast cancer risk is elevated among individuals who work in low-wage hourly jobs with histories of unpredictable shifts (i.e., those controlled by employers) that disrupt circadian rhythm.
Project 2: Night Shift Work and Breast Cancer
Specific aim: Develop and pilot an intervention to reduce or minimize known BC risk(s), particularly light at night associated with shift work and associated body-clock disruptions, and test for the intervention feasibility and acceptability.
Project requirements
Both projects should use a CPPR approach with partners from and with connections to the shift working community.
Project 1: Low-wage Shift Work and Breast Cancer
- Requires the inclusion of an epidemiologist or statistician with expertise in the use of secondary data sources and in combining administrative data sources.
- Requires large data sets, one of which could be the California Cancer Registry. It also requires sources of employment data, such as the O*NET database. These are example data sets. We welcome the use other data sets.
- Applicants are encouraged to factor in windows of susceptibility in the analysis, such as accounting for age at exposure.
Project 2: Night Shift Work and Breast Cancer
- Investigative team member with demonstrated expertise in developing interventions and testing their feasibility.
- A team member with experience working night shift work studies.
- Experience using precision assessment and assessment of exposure (e.g. shift timing and shift rotational frequency).
- Team members with experience in conducting qualitative research.
- Organizational or institutional resources to facilitate the development and testing of intervention would be valued. For example, statistical expertise and experience to evaluate intervention effectiveness.
- A track record of recruiting diverse samples of women for research.
The project plan needs to include a dissemination plan. The dissemination plan should describe how the dissemination activities will be undertaken throughout the project and justify the frequency of the dissemination elements. The plan should specify the personnel devoted to the dissemination team and their roles as well as the target audience including non-research stakeholders, especially workers, their representatives, employers, community members and policy makers. The dissemination plan should take into account audiences, messages, channels, milestones, and appropriate resources to reach milestones. A strong project will have outcomes that have potential to impact policy and/or translational potential.
Project duration and budget cap
CBCRP intends to fund up to two projects.
- Maximum direct cost budget: $300,000 for Project 1; $350,000 for Project 2
- Project duration: 2 years