Marginalized communities to benefit from new breast cancer research
Settlement award will fund mobile mammography and free genetic screening.
UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center will soon have new tools, including a “mammovan,” to improve breast health and early cancer detection in underserved women living in rural communities. Over a five-year period, Dr. Miglioretti and her team will develop a precision breast cancer screening research program focused on racially/ethnically diverse low-income women. Along with providing on-site mammography, the “mammovan” will also serve as a data collection hub, using leading-edge genomics and artificial intelligence to predict breast cancer risk. Blood and saliva samples will be taken to measure hormone levels as well as exposure to chemicals (such as those found in pesticides and wildfire smoke). Bilingual and bicultural health educators, along with community health workers, will provide health education and help ensure women with positive findings receive timely follow-up care. More information here.