Helping older women make informed choices about breast cancer screening
Official title: Supporting Personalized Decision Making for Breast Cancer Screening among Older Women
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11003312 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | January 8, 2021 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $257,587 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA248725-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003312 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women aged 75 and older who are considering breast cancer screening.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 75 or those who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to assist older women, particularly those aged 75 and above, in making informed decisions regarding breast cancer screening. It will analyze Medicare claims and cancer incidence data to provide clearer estimates of the benefits and risks associated with mammography for this age group. By understanding the varying life expectancies among older women, the research will quantify the potential mortality benefits and risks of overdiagnosis. Additionally, a decision aid will be developed to present personalized information to help women weigh their options effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower older women to make better-informed decisions about breast cancer screening, potentially improving their health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that personalized decision-making tools can significantly improve patient understanding and satisfaction, suggesting a promising approach in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Richman, Ilana — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Richman, Ilana
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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.