Behavioral and Community-Based Research Shared Resource

The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (Sylvester) Behavioral and Community-Based Research Shared Resource (BCSR) supports a broad array of cancer research, including behavioral, psychosocial, clinical, translational, and population studies in both community and clinic-based settings. The BCSR’s services are fundamental to Sylvester’s strategic efforts to address the cancer burden within Sylvester’s South Florida (SoFL) catchment area (CA). BCSR services are defined through the following aims: 1) coordinating the recruitment and retention of study participants that are representative of Sylvester’s CA; 2) supporting the development of study materials tailored to meet the needs of patients, including developing, editing, and helping field test study documents ; 3) facilitating data and laboratory specimen collection in clinical and community settings; and 4) assisting with the development and delivery of research interventions across the cancer continuum, from prevention to survivorship. Consistent with the 2019-2023 Sylvester Strategic Plan, the BCSR increased the number and capacity of study recruitment sites in clinic and community-based settings and established new services (e.g., biometric screening and medical record data abstraction). During the current reporting period (6/1/2018-5/31/2023), the BCSR provided services to 40 Sylvester members from all Research Programs as well as 23 other principal investigators engaged in CA-relevant cancer research. Reflecting the critical importance of BCSR services to Sylvester members, 91% of usage as measured by revenue was by members. Reflecting the growing demand for services over the reporting period, there was a 52% increase in annual BCSR revenue from Sylvester members. The BCSR accrued 5,767 study participants to 76 clinical research studies (including 57 studies led by members). BCSR supported an additional 240 studies (688 study documents) with translation services. The BCSR also facilitated collection of 5,188 laboratory specimens (e.g., blood and saliva) from research study participants. BCSR services facilitated 55 publications by members, of which 20% (11 publications) were in high-impact journals (JIF ≥10). In alignment with the goals of the 2024- 2028 Sylvester Strategic Plan, future plans include further expanding BCSR recruitment and retention services at Sylvester’s network locations and additional community settings and expanding support for cancer research using mobile health tools and devices.