BREATHE IN A SNAPSHOT
Preventive health such as screening is an effective strategy against illnesses. Timely screening allows for earlier detection, better management of illnesses, and saving lives and reducing healthcare expenses. The BREAst screening Tailored for Her (BREATHE) is a new research study that aims to develop a personalised screening programme for women and improve the current national breast screening programme. The findings from BREATHE study may influence a change in current screening programme. Classification of breast cancer risk of an individual is based on genetic risk factors, along with non-genetic factors (i.e. demographics, reproductive and lifestyle risk factors, mammographic density if available). Genetic risk of an individual can be predicted by carrying out a laboratory test performed on DNA, which will be collected via a buccal swab (i.e. cheek swab). This study will test the feasibility of a risk-based breast cancer screening approach and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the approach as compared to current age-based practice.
BREATHE is a collaborative effort between Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH), National University Hospital (NUH), National University Polyclinics – Bukit Batok Polyclinic (BBK) and Choa Chu Kang Polyclinic (CCK), National University of Singapore – Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health & Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, and A*STAR – Genome Institute of Singapore, supported by JurongHealth Fund. Alexandra Hospital (AH) and Jurong Medical Centre (JMC) have recently joined in the collaborative effort with the support and funding provided by PRECISION Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE).
BREATHE INVESTIGATORS
