Exploring decision-making for breast cancer prevention in diverse women at high risk
Official title: Integrating Breast Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Risk to Explore Decision-Making for Chemoprevention Among Racially/Ethnically Diverse Women at High Risk for Breast Cancer
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10944132 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why women from diverse backgrounds who are at high risk for breast cancer are less likely to use certain preventive medications for breast cancer, even though they often take other medications for heart health, and it aims to find ways to help them feel more comfortable discussing these options with their doctors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $684,333 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA293927-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10944132 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are racially and ethnically diverse women with high-risk breast lesions, such as atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have high-risk breast lesions or those who are not racially or ethnically diverse may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the decision-making processes of racially and ethnically diverse women who are at high risk for breast cancer, particularly those with high-risk breast lesions. It aims to understand why these women are less likely to use chemoprevention methods, such as selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors, compared to their uptake of statins for cardiovascular disease prevention. By employing a human-centered design approach, the study will identify barriers and facilitators in the patient journey from risk awareness to medication discussions with healthcare providers. The goal is to improve the uptake of breast cancer chemoprevention among these high-risk populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to increased use of effective breast cancer prevention strategies among high-risk women, potentially reducing breast cancer incidence.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been numerous studies on breast cancer chemoprevention, this research is novel in its focus on the intersection of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention decision-making.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kukafka, Rita — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Kukafka, Rita
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Integrating breast cancer and heart disease risk to understand chemoprevention decisions for high-risk women
This project explores how women at high risk for breast cancer decide whether to take preventive medicines, while also considering their heart health.
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Helping women weigh breast cancer and heart disease risks to decide on preventive medicines
This project will help women at high risk for breast cancer understand both their breast cancer and heart disease risks so they can make clearer choices about preventive medicines like SERMs, aromatase inhibitors, and statins.
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Personalized breast cancer care with COMPASS: a patient-friendly decision aid integrated with your medical records
A research project aims to help breast cancer patients make informed treatment choices through a computerized decision-support tool linked to their health records.
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Aging, DNA Methylation, and Cardio Risk in Breast Cancer Survivors
A study to help breast cancer survivors understand how aging and DNA changes might raise the chance of heart disease.
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Helping older women make informed choices about breast cancer screening
This study is designed to help women aged 75 and older make smart choices about breast cancer screening by looking at important data and creating a helpful tool that explains the benefits and risks of mammograms just for them.
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A technology to help breast cancer patients make personalized treatment decisions
This study is testing a new computer tool called COMPACT that helps breast cancer patients understand their treatment choices better, so they can make decisions that feel right for them and improve their overall experience.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.