Studies have shown that women who have dense breast tissue (the non-fatty portion of breast tissue, which appears white on a mammogram) are 2 to 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than those with less dense breast tissue. A woman’s breast density is influenced by her genetics, but it is has also been shown to be influenced by non-genetic and environmental factors. A research team at Columbia University in New York, NY, wants to study mammograms from African immigrant and African-American women to learn more about their specific breast density patterns. In research studies, African immigrants are often categorized together with African-American women. Yet African immigrants may have certain cultural and lifestyle factors that affect their breast density and breast cancer risk.
Please read on to learn more about what is involved and who can participate. If this study isn’t right for you, please pass it on to African immigrant and African-American women you know!
What's the study about?
The purpose of this study is to examine the patterns of breast density (the non-fatty portion of breast tissue) among African immigrant and African-American women living in the United States, and to find out factors that affect the amount of breast density in women.
The researchers need to enroll 300 women to participate in this study.
What's involved?
If you sign up for the study “Breast Density Patterns in African Immigrants and African American Women,” the research team will contact you to confirm that you are eligible. If you are eligible and choose to participate, you will be asked to do the following:
• Sign the consent form.
• Complete a questionnaire (either on-line or over the phone).
• Request recent copies of mammograms from your healthcare provider and mail them to the research team (at no cost to you). If you prefer, you can sign a medical release form to allow the research team to request your mammograms on your behalf.
Who is conducting the study?
Tomi Akinyemiju, PhD, Columbia University. New York, NY
Where?
Anywhere in the United States
Who can participate?
You can join the “Breast Density Patterns in African Immigrants and African American Women” study if you match ALL of these MAIN categories:
• You are a first or second generation African woman OR an African-American woman
o First generation African women: women who were born in Africa and currently reside in the US.
o Second generation African women: women who were born in the US to at least one African-born parent, and currently reside in the US.
o African-American women: women who were born in the US or to US-born parents, and currently reside in the US.
• You are age 45 or older.
• You have had at least one prior mammogram or plan to have a mammogram in the next six months.
• You are able to complete an interview, either on-line or over the phone.
• You are willing to request your mammograms from your healthcare provider or provide consent for research staff to request them on your behalf.
After you RSVP the research team will ask you additional questions to be sure that this study is a right fit for you.
Yes, Sign Me Up
No Thanks
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