Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

My Personalized Breast Screening

The MyPeBS study is an international research project comparing different ways to screen for breast cancer. Currently, everyone generally gets the same type of screening. This study is testing if a more personalised approach, which considers a woman's individual risk of breast cancer (using medical history and genetic information), might be better. It aims to see if this personalised screening can find breast cancers at an earlier stage compared to the standard screening methods used in each country. Women taking part will be screened differently for four years, and then they'll go back to their usual screening. Researchers will follow up with participants for 15 years to see how effective these methods are in the long term for preventing and treating breast cancer.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

UNICANCER

Enrolment target

53,142

Start

18 Jul 2019

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2027

Breast Screening

What is this study about?

The MyPeBS study, which stands for "My Personalized Breast Screening," is an important international research project that wants to make breast cancer screening better for women. At the moment, breast screening programmes usually offer the same type of check-up to everyone in a certain age group. However, we know that every woman's risk of breast cancer is different.

This study is looking at whether a more personalised approach to screening could be more effective. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, personalised screening would take into account things like your individual risk factors and possibly even genetic information to decide what kind of screening you should have and how often. The goal is to see if this more tailored approach can find breast cancers at an earlier stage, which often leads to better treatment outcomes.

The researchers will compare this new personalised screening method with the standard screening that's already offered in participating countries, including the UK. They want to find out if personalising screening leads to earlier detection of more serious breast cancers (those that are stage 2 or higher) over a four-year period. After these four years, women in the study will go back to their usual screening. However, the study will continue to follow participants for 15 years to understand the long-term impact on breast cancer rates and how well women do over time.

Key takeaways

The MyPeBS study aims to improve breast cancer screening for women.
It compares standard screening with a new, personalised approach based on individual risk.
The goal is to find breast cancers earlier and see which method is more effective.
Participants will be screened differently for 4 years, then followed for 15 years.
It involves different types of breast imaging like mammograms and MRIs.
Only women aged 40-70 without a previous history of breast cancer can join.

Who may be eligible?

To join the MyPeBS study, you need to be a woman, aged between 40 and 70 years old. This includes anyone who identifies as female. You should also be able to attend appointments, have any necessary tests, and fully understand what taking part in the study involves, including signing a consent form in one of the study's languages. It's also important that you are part of a national healthcare system, like the NHS in the UK, so your health records can be followed up.

However, there are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For instance, if you've already had breast cancer (either invasive or a very early stage called DCIS), or if you've had certain other breast conditions that increase your risk, you won't be eligible. Also, if you know you have a very high genetic risk of breast cancer due to specific gene changes (like in BRCA1/2), or if you've had both breasts removed (a bilateral mastectomy), you can't participate. If you currently have an abnormal breast finding that doctors are investigating, or if you have other health conditions that would make it difficult to follow the study's instructions and attend follow-up appointments for the full four years, you won't be able to join.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a woman (including born female or identify as female)?
Are you between 40 and 70 years old (inclusive)?
Have you never had breast cancer (invasive or DCIS)?
Do you feel able to attend appointments and follow study instructions?
Do you speak one of the study languages well enough to understand everything?
Are you part of a national healthcare system like the NHS?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in the MyPeBS study, you would be involved for a total of 15 years, although the main part of the study where you receive different screenings only lasts for four years. During these four years, you would have different types of breast screening tests, which could include a mammogram (an X-ray of the breast), an ultrasound scan, an MRI scan (a more detailed scan), or a tomosynthesis (a 3D mammogram). The specific type and frequency of screening you have will depend on which group you are in and your individual risk assessment. You will have regular screening appointments and possibly other check-ups as part of your allocated screening programme.

After the initial four years of specific screening, you will have a final study mammogram. Following this, you will return to the standard breast screening practices offered in the UK. The researchers will continue to collect information about your health for up to 15 years from when you first joined the study. This long-term follow-up is important for understanding the overall impact of the different screening methods on breast cancer rates and survival.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in any clinical study has potential benefits and risks. A potential benefit of MyPeBS is that the personalised screening approach might detect breast cancer earlier than standard screening, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes. You would also receive regular breast imaging for four years, which could offer reassurance. However, there's always a chance that any screening test could miss a cancer, or that it could lead to 'false alarms' requiring more tests and causing anxiety. The specific screening method you receive will be decided by chance (randomised), meaning you might not receive the personalised approach. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (6)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Institut Jules Bordet
Verified postcode
Brussels, Belgium
Gustave roussy
Verified postcode
Villejuif, France
Assuta Medical Center Ramat HaHayal
Verified postcode
Tel Aviv, Israel
AUSL Reggio Emilia
Verified postcode
Reggio Emilia, Italy
Marta Romản
Verified postcode
Barcelona, Spain
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Cambridge, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is personalised breast screening?

It's a way of checking for breast cancer that is tailored to your individual risk, rather than offering the same screening to everyone.

What kind of screening tests might I have?

You might have a mammogram, ultrasound, MRI, or tomosynthesis, depending on your study group and individual risk.

How long will I be actively involved in the screening part of the study?

You'll be screened differently for four years, after which you'll go back to your usual national screening programme.

Will my doctors in the NHS know I'm in the study?

Yes, it's important that your healthcare providers are aware of your participation to ensure your care is coordinated properly.

Can I leave the study once I've joined?

Yes, you are free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your healthcare.