Investigating how environmental and social factors affect mammographic features

Environmental and social determinants of mammographic features

NIH-funded research Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-10978958

This study is looking at how things like your environment and social situation can affect breast health, especially how dense your breast tissue is, which can influence breast cancer risk, and it aims to find ways to improve screening and prevention for everyone.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHarvard School of Public Health NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10978958 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores how various environmental and social determinants influence mammographic features, particularly percent mammographic density (PMD), which is a significant risk factor for breast cancer. By utilizing advanced digital mammography techniques and deep learning algorithms, the study aims to identify modifiable risk factors associated with breast cancer. It will consider multiple exposures simultaneously, including socioeconomic status and environmental factors like air pollution, to provide a comprehensive understanding of their impact on breast health. The findings could lead to improved screening and prevention strategies for breast cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include women undergoing mammography, particularly those with varying socioeconomic backgrounds and environmental exposures.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing mammography or those with no risk factors for breast cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification of breast cancer risk factors, ultimately improving prevention and treatment strategies for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in identifying risk factors for breast cancer through similar approaches, but this study aims to integrate multiple determinants in a novel way.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Breast CancerBreast Cancer Risk Factor
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.