Mammography and Breast Arterial Calcification: an Information-Sharing Trial

Launched by ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · Jul 22, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The "Mammography and Breast Arterial Calcification: an Information-Sharing Trial" is studying whether sharing information about breast arterial calcification (BAC) results in mammogram letters can benefit women's health. While mammograms are mainly used to check for breast cancer, they can also reveal calcifications in the breast arteries, which may be linked to heart disease. Currently, most women do not receive this BAC information, even though research suggests they would like to know. This study aims to look at BAC rates in a diverse group of nearly 15,000 women and see how informing them about their BAC results affects their healthcare decisions and lifestyle choices.

To participate, you must be a woman aged 40 or older, able to read and speak English or Spanish, and scheduled for a mammogram at one of Mount Sinai's clinics. You'll need to sign consent forms and agree to share some medical information for the study. However, if you have a history of heart disease or certain medical conditions, you may not be eligible. If you join, you can expect to receive information about your BAC results after your mammogram and provide feedback on how this information influences your health choices. This study could lead to regular sharing of BAC information in the future, helping women make more informed health decisions.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• • Inclusion Criteria
• • Female
• • Scheduled to undergo mammography at one of Mount Sinai's breast radiology clinics (e.g., Dubin Breast Center, Radiology Associates)
• • Age ≥ 40 years
• • Read and speak English or Spanish
• • Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent
• • Willing to sign and date any applicable medical record release documents for the study
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Participants with known coronary artery disease (via self-report)
• • Previous physician-diagnosed heart attack, stroke or TIA, heart failure, angina or taking nitroglycerin, or atrial fibrillation (via self-report or review of EMR)
• • Inability to understand and comply with the instructions of the study due to the presence of cognitive or psychiatric conditions (such as dementia, psychosis, or mania), compromising ability to provide informed consent and/or follow study procedures
• • Pregnant women