The results of this project will build the foundation for the implementation of a mammography screening approach based on individual risk rather than on age alone. This personalized approach will contribute to a better balance between the benefits and harms of breast cancer screening.

Project summary

The PERSPECTIVE project aims to evaluate a new mammography screening strategy that takes into account each woman’s individual risk of breast cancer. Using an innovative tool that combines genetic information with information on different risk factors, it will be possible to assess and determine the risk category of each woman. A screening action plan adapted to each risk category will then be proposed to the participants.

For this purpose, 5,000 Quebec women between the ages of 40 and 69 will be recruited. Participants simply have to fill out a questionnaire that will allow the collection of information related to a number of risk factors for breast cancer. Their mammogram will provide breast density measures while genetic markers will be analyzed from their saliva sample. After the results are returned to participants, they will then be asked to complete two follow-up questionnaires.

The PERSPECTIVE study is a large-scale research project involving more than 20 researchers from Quebec, Canada as well as internationally. The principal investigators of PERSPECTIVE are Jacques Simard, Full Professor at the Department of Molecular Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine at Université Laval, and Anna Maria Chiarelli, Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto.

Project team

  • Jacques Simard

    Project Leader

    Faculty of Medicine

    Université Laval

  • Anna Maria Chiarelli

    Co-Project Leader

    Dalla Lana School of Public Health

    University of Toronto

  • Bartha Maria Knoppers

    Co-Investigator

    Faculty of Medicine

    McGill University

  • Hermann Nabi

    Co-Investigator

    Faculty of Medicine

    Université Laval

  • Jocelyne Chiquette

    Co-Investigator

    Faculty of Medicine

    Université Laval

  • Laurence Eloy

    Co-Investigator

    Programme québécois de cancérologie

    Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux

  • Michel Dorval

    Co-Investigator

    Faculty of Pharmacy

    Université Laval

  • Yann Joly

    Co-Investigator

    Faculty of Medicine

    Université McGill

  • Jean-Sébastien Paquette

    Collaborator

    Faculty of Medicine

    Université Laval

  • Marie-Hélène Guertin

    Collaborator

    Institut national de santé publique du Québec

  • Philippe Després

    Collaborator

    Faculty of Science and Engineering

    Université Laval

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