Research

The Young Women’s Breast Cancer Research Program is dedicated to identifying the genetic factors important in the development of breast cancer among young women. You do not have to live in St. Louis to participate. Contact Jennifer Ivanovich if you wish to learn more or to participate in the research study.

Study Title
Identification of Novel Genetic Risk Factors that Contribute to the Risk for Breast Cancer.

Eligibility
All women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer 40 years of age and younger are eligible to participate. The age at diagnosis, not current age, is used to determine eligibility.

Study Requirements
A young woman with breast cancer is asked to:

1. Sign a consent form
2. Allow a health professional to draw and mail a sample of your blood
3. Release a copy of cancer-related records
4. Allow our research team to contact you about your family medical history
5. Ask your parents and sisters to participate as part of a control group, if they are interested

If your parents or sisters participate, they will be asked to:

1. Sign a consent form
2. Release a copy of any cancer-related records
3. Submit a sample of blood

You may still participate and contribute to the study if your parents or sisters are not living or if they do not wish to participate.

Women who have had clinical genetic testing may still participate regardless of the test results.

Confidentiality
All records are kept strictly confidential according to institutional and federal guidelines.

Voluntary Participation
The research study is completely voluntary. Your medical team will not alter your medical care or follow-up based on your decision to participate.

Principal Investigators
Paul Goodfellow, PhD: goodfellowp@wudosis.wustl.edu
Jennifer Ivanovich, MS: jen@ccadmin.wustl.edu; 314-454-5076

Study Materials
Study brochure (PDF Format)
Consent form (PDF Format)