New Study

Here's a very interesting study that looks to find some really valuable info - if you or anyone you know might qualify or be interested!

Giving birth before age 25 and having multiple pregnancies has been found to reduce a woman's long-term risk of developing breast cancer. Why? We don't know–but investigators at Tufts University in Boston, MA, are trying to find out!

This research team is studying breast tissue samples from women who have not had breast cancer to see what effect pregnancy has on the stroma, the connective tissue in the breast. They believe that studying tissue samples from women who have been pregnant and women who have not can help us understand what causes breast cancer to develop. This, in turn, could help us find ways to reduce breast cancer risk.

This study is open to women who live in Boston (or are willing to travel there at their own expense) and have NOT had breast cancer. The researchers need both women who have given birth and women who have not. If you're interested in learning more, please read on!

If this study isn't the right fit for you, please think about your friends, family members, and any other women you know who might live in the area and fit the bill. Remember, if you aren't able to sign up for this study or if you haven't been able to sign up for a study so far, we still need you to hang in there. Many more studies are on the way and, eventually, everyone will be able to participate!

What's the study about?

The research team will analyze breast tissue samples from women without breast cancer. They are studying both women who have given birth (both early and later in life) and those who have not. They are specifically looking at the stroma, the breast tissue that supports the breast ducts, as they want to determine what role it plays in breast cancer. They are also going to study whether the age a women becomes pregnant, the number of pregnancies she has had, and whether or not she breast-fed has an affect on the stroma.

What's involved?

If you are eligible and agree to participate in the Pregnancy and Breast Cancer Risk Study, you will be contacted by phone and asked questions about your pregnancy, medical, and smoking history to confirm your eligibility. If you are eligible for the study, the researchers will ask you to give them permission to request your medical records from your doctor. You will also be asked to meet with the researchers one time at Tufts University School of Medicine in downtown Boston. During this appointment a breast surgeon will perform 4-6 core breast biopsies, removing cells from your breast with a needle under local anesthesia. This is an outpatient procedure and usually takes approximately 20 minutes.

The researchers need to enroll 85 women in this study.

Who is conducting the study?

Ana Soto, MD, Tufts University, Boston, MA

Where?

Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA

Who can participate?

You can join the Pregnancy and Breast Cancer Risk Study if you match ALL of these MAIN categories:
• You have never been diagnosed with breast (including DCIS), uterine, ovarian, or thyroid cancer
• You have not smoked in the past 5 years
• You have NEVER had breast implants
• You are NOT taking hormonal contraceptives
• You are NOT currently pregnant or breast-feeding
• You live near Boston, MA (or are willing to travel there at your own expense)
• You must also fit into ONE of these categories to be eligible for the study:
You are between 20-25 years of age and have NEVER been pregnant
OR
You are 30 years old or younger AND have one child AND gave birth 5-6 years ago (between 2005-2006)
OR
You are 30 years old or younger and have NEVER been pregnant
OR
You are 50 years old or older AND premenopausal AND have NEVER been pregnant
OR
You are 50 years old or older AND premenopausal AND your last pregnancy was at least 16 years ago (before 1995)
After you RSVP, the researcher will ask you additional questions to be sure that this study is the right fit for you.