Open Studies

Dana Farber Cancer Institute is currently launching a large prospective cohort study in eastern Massachusetts to follow young women with breast cancer over a period of 10 years in an attempt to address many of the unanswered questions facing younger patients.

For more information, please contact Meghan Meyer, research coordinator, at (617) 632-4983 or mmeyer1@partners.org.

A new study at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute looks at the long-term effects of breast cancer chemotherapy on the ovaries of young women compared to women who have not received chemotherapy.

Knowledge of how well ovaries work following treatment is important information for young women with breast cancer. An evaluation of views about fertility for women with and without a history of breast cancer will also be conducted to better understand fertility concerns in all young women.

Studies continue to uncover lifestyle factors and habits that alter breast cancer risk. Ongoing studies are looking at the effect of exercise, weight gain or loss, and diet on breast cancer risk.

Studies on the best use of genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations continue at a rapid pace. Other genes that contribute to breast cancer risk are also being identified. This will occur more rapidly now that the human genome has been sequenced.