Strategies to reduce unnecessary breast cancer screenings in older women

Messaging Strategies to Reduce Breast Cancer Over-Screening in Older Women

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10820485

This study looks at how messages from doctors, family, and the media affect older women's choices about getting breast cancer screenings, with the goal of finding the best ways to help them make smart decisions about whether or not to have mammograms.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10820485 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how different messaging from healthcare providers, family, and media influences older women's decisions about breast cancer screening. It aims to identify effective communication strategies that can help reduce over-screening among older women who may face more risks than benefits from routine mammograms. By understanding the impact of these messages, the project seeks to promote informed decision-making regarding breast cancer screening in this population. The research will involve analyzing responses to various messaging approaches to determine which are most effective in encouraging appropriate screening practices.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older women who are currently undergoing or considering breast cancer screening.

Not a fit: Patients who are younger than the targeted age group or those who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better-informed decisions about breast cancer screening for older women, potentially reducing unnecessary procedures and associated harms.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that effective communication can influence health behaviors, suggesting that this approach may yield positive results.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, 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 American Cancer SocietyBreast Cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.