Molecular Epidemiology and Biology of Mammographic Density: A Pilot Study to Evaluate Protocol Feasibility

PI Names: Geller B, Vacek P, Sherman M, Brinton L
Title: Molecular Epidemiology and Biology of Mammographic Density: A Pilot Study to Evaluate Protocol Feasibility
Institute: Vermont Breast Cancer Surveillance System

The aim of this pilot study is to demonstrate the feasibility of a protocol for conducting a full-scale study to elucidate the biologic mechanisms that mediate the substantial breast cancer risk associated with high mammographic density. Specifically, the investigators will develop, fine tune, and validate a complex cross-sectional study protocol to collect risk factor data and biological specimens required to discover mechanisms and biomarkers that link high mammographic density to breast cancer risk. From a subset of women with mammographic density exceeding 60%, they will obtain two research biopsies from dense regions of the ipsilateral breast, non-contiguous with the clinically identified target lesion. They will also develop the methodology for establishing a cohort of women, which will provide a source population in which to prospectively assess the validity of markers identified in the cross-sectional component of the study.