Research Study Opportunity: Improving Health Disparities in Breast Cancer

Mar 16 8:42am | Jasmine Souers | @jasminesouers

GENetic Risk Estimation of Breast Cancer Prior to Diagnosis

Mayo Clinic is seeking female volunteers who are at increased risk for breast cancer and self-identify as African American/Black or Hispanic/Latinx, ages 30 to 75, to participate in a research study. The purpose of this study is to improve breast cancer risk estimation with the use of a polygenic risk score (PRS) and evaluate if this may reduce the disparities in breast cancer screening and related outcomes.

What is a polygenic risk score?

The polygenic risk score takes into account the natural genetic variation that is seen in all individuals. Some of these variations (also called single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs) are now known to cause small increases in breast cancer risk. When the SNPs are combined as a polygenic risk score (PRS) they can identify women whose risk is substantially increased and be used to personalize breast cancer screening and prevention strategies.

Purpose of this study

In the past, the use of PRS has been studied primarily in women of European ancestry. In these women, it has been shown to improve their ability to predict breast cancer. We recognize that Black and Hispanic women have been underrepresented in previous studies and are interested in evaluating whether information provided by the PRS can also improve breast cancer risk prediction in women of these ethnic groups, thereby improving their ability to make a more informed decision on breast cancer screening and prevention strategies.

You may be eligible to participate if:

You are a woman who identifies as African American/Black or Hispanic/Latinx
You are between the ages of 30 to 75 years
You have either of the following:
- Family history of breast cancer
- History of prior high risk breast biopsy

What will be required of you?

Visit 1: (Screening and Baseline)
You will first meet with a breast clinic physician/the study doctor who will assess your breast cancer risk using a standard assessment model which considers your family history and other risk factors. This physician will also discuss risk-reducing strategies and screening options. If you are eligible and willing to participate in the study at that point, you will be asked to get a single blood draw to assess your PRS score.

Visit 2: (6 Weeks-6 Months Later)
When the PRS result is available, you will have a second visit to discuss those results and the combined effect with your clinical assessment so you can make a decision about appropriate breast cancer screening and prevention. These visits can be done remotely.

10-year Follow up
Complete online survey every year.