BU researcher receives grant to better understand breast cancer among African-American women -
Why are African American women die at a higher rate and the experience more aggressive breast tumors than white women? Researchers at Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University (SEC) received funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to explore this issue. The new grant is based on the premise that to have a better understanding of breast cancer biology in African-American women will lead to better prevention and treatment.
"Identification of genetic variants linked to breast cancer in African-American women to deepen our knowledge of the disease and ultimately may lead us to better treatments and prevention opportunities," said Julie R. Palmer, ScD, senior epidemiologist at SEC and BU professor of epidemiology at the school of public health from Boston University, who is leading the study at BU.
breast cancer is not one disease, but a combination of subtypes distinct diseases with different risk factors and clinical outcomes. However, the reasons for differences in breast cancer biology and disparities in incidence and mortality rates between white women and African-Americans are not well understood, and existing studies were not large enough to provide sufficient statistical power to elucidate the genetic factors associated with how breast cancers develop. The size and power of this new study could help resolve the current lack of scientific understanding.
"Health disparities are a major concern problem for the NCI and we are focused on as evidenced by this grant," said the acting director of NCI, Douglas Lowy, MD
This study will seek to identify new genes and genetic pathways that influence breast cancer among African-American women.
This multicenter study will pool data, biological samples, and expertise of 18 previous studies of breast cancer in women of African descent. Investigators determine whether genetic variants may be associated with increased risk. Specifically, they will examine:
- The association between genetic variants and risk of breast cancer with estrogen receptor negative and estrogen-positive breast cancers receiver
- How genetic variants affect major breast cancer biological pathways and whether the effects may differ between African American women and white women
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