Certificate of Consent

The Breast Cancer Care of WA initially formed a partnership with Edith Cowan University (ECU) to develop a research project entitled “A comparison of social network sites and online communities for the provision of advice, support and information: Guidelines for health professionals”. The research involved the creation of Breast Cancer Click as an online community website to provide advice, information and support for people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and their families, friends and supporters.

As a member of this community you are able to login to the secure, members only, website, to share your experiences with other people who understand the experience of breast cancer or who might benefit from your understanding. The Click enables you to participate in a way that suits you: you can chat online with a professional Breast Care Nurse and other members, participate in group chats, host blog pages, post questions and respond to Forum posts and upload relevant videos or photos.

During the initial research project a Specialist Breast Care Nurse was introduced to provide advice, information and support and provide links to relevant breast cancer information. This service continues to be provided to Australians free of charge.

As a website member, you may be invited to attend a focus group(s), interview(s) and/or to complete an online survey(s) or similar tasks during the project.

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Statement by Participant

I have been invited to participate in research about online social networks and communities for people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, their families and friends and the integration of professional information, advice and support giving.

I have read the foregoing information and I have had the opportunity to ask questions about it and any questions I have asked have been answered to my satisfaction. I consent voluntarily to be a participant in this study.

By registering as a member of the support website www.breastcancerclick.com.au I am signifying my consent to participate in research projects associated with the site’s operations.