BC-Predict - Wythenshawe Hospital

No two women have the same risk of developing breast cancer. The BC-Predict (Breast Cancer Predict) research study aims to provide women with personalised information on their risk of developing breast cancer, through an easy-to-use online questionnaire.

The study is being led by Professor Gareth Evans (Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust) and Professor David French (The University of Manchester), together with a large team of experienced researchers.

Below you can find a range of information about the study, and how you can take part.

Female nurse assisting a female patient undergoing mammogram breast screening — Breast screening mammogram, Nightingale Centre, Wythenshawe

What is BC Predict?

BC-Predict study is a research project which tests whether an online questionnaire can be incorporated into NHS breast screening programmes, to give women personalised information on their breast cancer risk.

Answers to the questionnaire alone can be used to calculate a woman’s 10-year risk of developing breast cancer. Results are more accurate when combined with breast density measurements taken during a routine mammogram.

The research team are recruiting 8000 women to compare this method against the standard breast screening programme. In some areas, some participants will be asked to provide a saliva sample, which will be analysed for small genetic changes that we know can affect breast cancer risk.

Some women may be asked to complete questionnaires to measure the impact of receiving breast cancer risk information for example, on anxiety, or to take part in an interview about their experience of BC-Predict.

BC-Predict is part of the Predicting-Risk-Of-Cancer-At-Screening (PROCAS-2) research programme which follows on from the highly successful PROCAS-1 study. Similarly to BC-Predict, PROCAS-1 estimated a woman’s personalised breast cancer risk from their breast density and a paper questionnaire.

In this study, researchers found that over 94% of the 58,000 women who participated wished to know their personal risk of breast cancer.

How is it different from standard breast screening?

In England, women aged 50-70 (or 47-73 in some trial areas) are invited to breast screening every three years. Some women may be invited earlier or more frequently, if they attend Family History Risk and Prevention Clinics.

Currently, NHS breast screening in England does not offer women personalised risk information.

BC-Predict does, and is based on information on a woman’s age, reproductive history, family cancer history, and lifestyle. A woman’s mammogram is also used to measure breast density – the amount of tissue in the breast that is not fat, which can increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer.

Who can take part in this research?

Women living in certain areas of Greater Manchester, East Cheshire and East Lancashire will automatically be invited to the study if they are due:

Their very first breast screening appointment, or
Their next planned screening closest to their 60th birthday, which may fall before or after the date itself.

Shortly after receiving their regular breast screening letter by post, they should receive a separate letter inviting them to BC-Predict, which will have detailed information about the study and how to take part.

Women will be able to access the BC-Predict online questionnaire up to six weeks after the date offered for their screening. After this date, the questionnaire will close and they will not be able to take part.

What does it involve?

The online questionnaire will ask you questions about your health, lifestyle, family history and reproductive history. This should take around 20 minutes to complete.

Some women may also be asked to provide a saliva sample for genetic testing when they go for their mammogram.

How do I access the online questionnaire?

You can access the online questionnaire via the link below. This is currently only available for those women invited to participate in the study:

https://bcpredict.mft.nhs.uk

What happens after completing the questionnaire?

Your answers will be used to calculate your personalised breast cancer risk. If you attended your mammogram, answers will be combined with breast density results from your mammogram, and genetic testing (only if you were asked to provide a saliva sample).

These results will automatically generate a letter informing you of your personalised breast cancer risk, which is sent to you and your GP, and information on how to reduce your risk.

Regardless of your risk, you can request an appointment with a specialist doctor to discuss your results. This can be face-to-face or over the telephone, and will cover potential care and treatments that could help reduce your risk. Women above average or at high risk can discuss the offer of more frequent screening and / or medication to reduce their risk.

What changes to my breast screening can I discuss?
	Below average risk	Average risk	Above average	High risk
Age 46+	No changes (at the moment)	No changes	Medication to reduce risk	Medication to reduce risk
Age 46-49			Extra mammography screening (then return 3-yearly at age 50)
Age 46-59				Extra mammography screening (then return 3-yearly at age 50)

Do I have to take part and can I opt out?

Women are encouraged to still attend their regular breast screening appointment if they would like to.

Participation in BC-Predict is entirely optional, and you can choose to withdraw from the study at any time by contacting the research team.

Who can I contact for more information?

If you have any queries please contact the BC-Predict team on 0161 291 4408 or BCPredict@mft.nhs.uk

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