To learn about the basics of breast cancer biology, please refer to our Glossary, and view the webpages listed in the More Information section.

Breast cancer genomic profiles are currently not available to doctors or patients who are not part of our clinical trial. Because genomic profiling is a new technology still under development, we conduct clinical trials to collect information. This information will help us understand genomic profiles of breast cancer and how best to use them to improve patient care. Our current genomic trial collects information from patients with early stage breast cancer. Click here for information on our available clinical trial or call 919-681-8659 to speak to a member of the genomics clinical trial team.

If you have been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and you have not received treatment for the disease, you may be able to take part in our clinical trial, a pre-operative trial for early stage breast cancer. Click here for information on our available clinical trial or call 919-681-8659 to speak to a member of the genomics clinical trial team.

Patients who have already had surgery cannot usually take part in our current genomic profile clinical trials. Most non-trial tumor samples cannot be used to obtain a genomic profile due to the way in which they were collected and stored. To obtain a profile we can study, we need fresh tumor tissue that has been frozen immediately after removal. Freezing fresh tissue preserves the genetic material needed for genomic profiling. Most hospitals preserve (fix) tumor samples in paraffin. This method breaks down the genetic material we need for the genomic profile. We can only study the genomic profile from the tumor if a fresh frozen tumor sample is available. If you have questions about other Duke breast cancer clinical trials that do not use genomics, please call 919-660-1278. If you have questions about clinical trials in your area, talk to your doctor or call the National Cancer Institute information line 1-800-4-CANCER.

No, at this time genomic profiles can not be done on non-trial (preserved) tumor samples. To obtain a genomic profile, we need fresh tumor tissue that has been frozen immediately after removal. Freezing fresh tissue preserves the genetic material needed for genomic profiling. Most hospitals preserve (fix) tumor samples in paraffin. This method breaks down the genetic material we need. Therefore we cannot provide a genomic profile for tumor tissue preserved in paraffin at this time. If you have questions about clinical trials in your area, talk to your doctor or call the National Cancer Institute information line 1-800-4-CANCER.

No, our current trial is for patients who have not had prior chemotherapy. If you have early stage breast cancer and you have not received treatment for the disease, you may be able to take part in our clinical trial. Click here for information on our available clinical trial or call 919-681-8659 to speak to a member of the genomics clinical trial team.

Yes, you maybe able to participate in our current trial if you have had a biopsy that diagnosed early stage breast cancer, but have not received chemotherapy. Click here for information on our available clinical trial or call 919-681-8659 to speak to a member of the genomics clinical trial team.

Unfortunately, our genomic profiles for breast cancer do not yet predict recurrence risk.

No, current technology does not allow use of a genomic profile to evaluate cancer risk in someone who has not been diagnosed. This is because genomic profiles must use genetic material from the tumor.

A genetic counselor is a valuable resource for questions about a family history of breast cancer. You can find a genetic counselor near you through the web site of the National Society of Genetic Counselors.