Personalized breast cancer screening: using your own risk to guide when and how often to get mammograms
Official title: Understanding and addressing rejection of personalized cancer risk information
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11370886 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study from the University of Colorado Denver aims to help women make smarter, personalized decisions about when to start and how often to get mammograms based on their own breast cancer risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $631,880 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279953-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11370886 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women considering or scheduled for breast cancer screening, particularly those deciding when to begin and how often to screen.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals whose risk-based recommendations do not significantly alter their current screening plan may not experience direct changes.
What this research studies
This project looks at how to use individual risk estimates to guide breast cancer screening timing and frequency. It focuses on making the screening decision clearer for women by balancing potential benefits with possible harms like false positives. The researchers plan to test tools and processes that integrate a woman’s risk factors into informed choice about screening intervals and ages. The ultimate goal is to help women choose screening plans that fit their personal risk and values. The work involves collaboration with clinicians to translate risk information into practical, patient-centered guidance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, women could receive more personalized screening plans that maximize benefits and minimize harms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in risk-based screening has shown promise in guiding decisions, but implementation in routine care remains ongoing and evolving.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scherer, Laura D. — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Scherer, Laura D.
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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.