Current Projects

Project Title The BEAM Study

Researcher Seema Khan, MD

Study Summary Today, doctors rely on a woman’s personal and family medical history to help them figure out if she is at higher than average risk of developing breast cancer. But this method is far from perfect. Many women who develop breast cancer don’t have any of the known risk factors. And many women who have all of the known risk factors never get the disease. Clearly, we need a better way to tell who is at risk. And that’s what the BEAM (Breast Estrogen and Methylation) study is all about: Finding a better way to predict a woman’s breast cancer risk. Three hundred women are needed for this study.

Who Can Participate? You can sign up for the BEAM study if you match ALL of these main categories:
• You are woman between the ages of 35 – 60
• You are able to go to either the Northwestern University in Chicago, or Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore for the study appointment
• You had a recent normal mammogram (negative or benign findings) within the past 3 months
• You have not used birth control or hormone replacement therapy within the past 3 months
• You have never been diagnosed with breast cancer
• You do not have breast implants
• You have not had an invasive cancer in the past 5 years
• You have not been pregnant or lactating within the past two years

The researcher may ask you additional questions to be sure that this study is a right fit for you.

What Does Participation Involve? If you join the study you will be asked to meet with researchers one time at either Johns Hopkins or Northwestern Chicago Campus for a study appointment that lasts approximately 2 hours. After you arrive, you will be asked to answer questions about your medical history, have your blood drawn, have fluid removed from your nipple by massaging or suctioning your breast, and have cells removed from your breast using a needle.

Where? Northwestern University; Chicago Campus and Johns Hopkins University

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