CALL TO ACTION – MEDICAL RESEARCH BREAST CANCER STUDY

If you live in Los Angeles and are a breast cancer survivor and a woman with a family history of breast cancer – We need you for this Medical Research Study!

Dr. Susan Love and the Army of Women/Avon Foundation for Women

Studies have shown that eating soy in the diet reduces breast cancer risk but we don't know why. This study is looking into whether it does this by decreasing breast density. A research team at the University of Southern California is looking for women with a family history of breast cancer AND breast cancer survivors to participate in a study to see if taking a soy supplement (in tablet form) for one year can reduce breast density or slow or reduce cell growth in the breast. Study participants cannot be currently receiving cancer treatment.

We have recruited for this study in the past but the research team still needs women to sign up. Please read on to learn more about what's involved and who can participate. If this study isn't right for you, please pass it on! Help us reach as many eligible women as possible!

What's the study about?

The research team is studying the effects of one year of soy supplementation on women with a family history of breast cancer (high-risk women) AND women who have been treated for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive breast cancer. They want to see if soy can reduce breast density or slow or reduce cell growth in the breast.

What's involved?

If you sign up for the Effects of Soy on Breast Tissue Study, you will be randomly assigned (like flipping a coin) to receive either soy tablets or inactive placebo tablets for one year. You will be asked to take one tablet daily and record your intake on a pill diary.

You will also be asked to attend five clinic visits at the University of Southern California/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, in Los Angeles, or the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Los Angeles (LAC-USC) Medical Center. If you take part in the study, you will have the following procedures:

• 5 blood draws and urine collections: one at the beginning of the study, and then at the end of months 3, 6, 9, and 12
• 2 mammograms and 2 magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRI): one each at the beginning of the study and the other at the end of month 12
• 2 breast biopsies: one at the beginning of the study and the other at the end of month 12. This procedure is conducted in the clinic under local anesthesia.

You will also be asked to complete questionnaires about your medical history, including your menstrual and pregnancy history, your use of hormones including oral contraceptives and menopausal hormones, your use of other medications, and your dietary habits.

Who is conducting the study?

• Anna Wu, PhD
• Augustin Garcia, MD
• Debra Hawes, MD
• Linda Hovanessian-Larsen, MD
• Heather McDonald, MD
• Sue Ellen Martin, MD
• Malcolm Pike, MD
• Pulin Sheth, MD
•  Darcy Spicer, MD
• Debu Tripathy, MD

Where?

• University of Southern California/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
•  Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Los Angeles (LAC-USC) Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

Who can participate?

You can sign up for the Effects of Soy on Breast Tissue Study if you meet ALL of these MAIN criteria:

• You are a woman between the ages of 30-75
• You have been previously diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive breast cancer OR
• You have a family history of breast cancer
• You are not currently receiving cancer treatment, including tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitor, chemotherapy, radiation, or other forms of treatment
• You are not currently taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
• You are not currently taking hormone therapy
• You do not have soy allergies
• You are willing to refrain from consuming all soy food and supplements during the 1-year study period
• You live near or are willing to travel to the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, in Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Los Angeles (LAC-USC) Medical Center

After you RSVP, the research team will contact you to ask additional questions to be sure that this study is a good fit for you.

You need to contact the Army of Women at www.armyofwomen.org.