Prenatal Environmental Determinants of Intergenerational Risk (PEDIGREE) is a sub- study of 3Gs. Like 3Gs, the PEDIGREE Study is studying how the environment might affect people's health and how it might play a role in the development of disease across generations. As with 3Gs, participation in this study does not involve medical treatment and therefore poses minimal risk.
The PEDIGREE Study will ask about 400 eligible second generation CHDS women (daughters) Study for permission to obtain a copy of their past mammogram film(s) from the facility where they received this service. The mammograms will be used to measure breast density. Breast density is a measureable indicator of breast health, and can indicate future risk of breast cancer. For more information on the PEDIGREE Study mammogram collection please click here.
The PEDIGREE Study may also be testing a blood or saliva sample to measure the amount of change in the chemical groups attached to the DNA. This test measures gene activity. This will not require another blood draw as the blood already collected for 3Gs or Disparities will be used. If you are not participating in the 3Gs or Disparities in-person visit, we will send you an at-home saliva collection kit. We can get the same information in saliva.
The PEDIGREE Study will also be writing to about 100 CHDS daughters with a history of breast cancer for permission to obtain a copy of their breast cancer pathology report and tumor tissue sample. For more information on the PEDIGREE Study breast cancer pathology report and tumor tissue sample collection please click here.
You will be notified in the invitation letter we mailed to you which component(s) of PEDIGREE you are eligible to participate in.
CHDS daughters (second generation) who have participated in the 3Gs or Disparities studies or who have been diagnosed with breast cancer may be eligible for the PEDIGREE Study.
The PEDIGREE Study is funded by the Breast Cancer and Environment Research Program (BCERP), a joint effort co-funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). BCERP supports a multidisciplinary network of scientists, clinicians, and community partners. BCERP was founded in 2003 to examine the effects of environmental exposures that may predispose a woman to breast cancer throughout her life. By including scientists from many areas of research there is facilitated translation of research findings to new treatment options and intervention programs.
We received information about your breast cancer diagnosis from you when you recently participated in the 3 Generations Study or Disparities Study telephone interview with the CHDS.
The PEDIGREE Study has many different levels of participation. You will be notified in the invitation letter we mailed to you which component(s) of PEDIGREE you are eligible to participate in.
Mammogram Collection
As part of the PEDIGREE Study you may be asked to give permission for the CHDS to obtain a copy of your past mammogram film(s) from the facility where you received this service. At this time we are only able to collect mammogram films for a small subset of CHDS participants. The details on mammography collection will be in your invitation letter if you are eligible. For more information on the PEDIGREE Study mammogram collection, please click here.
Pathology Report and Tumor Tissue Sample Collection
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer you may also be asked to give your permission for the CHDS to obtain a copy of your pathology report and tumor tissue sample. Details on providing this information are included in your invitation letter. For more information on the PEDIGREE Study breast cancer pathology report and tumor tissue sample collection, please click here.
Blood and Saliva Collection
The PEDIGREE Study may also test a sample of your blood or saliva to measure the amount of change in the chemical groups attached to the DNA. This test measures gene activity and will not require another blood draw as the blood or saliva already collected from the in-person visit for 3Gs or Disparities will be used, or the at-home saliva collection kit you returned along with your consent forms will be used. For more information on the PEDIGREE Study blood and saliva collection, please click here.
If you are eligible and agree to participate in the PEDIGREE Study, we will ask for your permission to use a sample of your blood already collected for 3Gs or Disparities or a saliva sample you can do at home to perform DNA methylation analysis. This is a test to determine the percent of certain chemical groups that are attached to the DNA and provides a measure of gene activity.
- Why are you asking me to provide a copy of my most recent mammogram?
Your mammogram will allow us to use computer software to measure breast density. Breast density is a measureable indicator of breast health, and can indicate future risk of breast cancer. Our goal in this part of the study is to better understand factors in early life that affect breast density, and those that may ultimately reduce breast cancer risk. Your participation in this part will help us understand the potential influences of early life on later breast cancer risk.
- Will you pay for me to go and receive a mammogram?
At this time we cannot pay for you to receive a mammogram. We are only able to obtain your past mammogram film(s) from the facility where you received this service. If you need a referral for low cost or free mammogram services please contact a PEDIGREE Study team member at (510) 649-6390.
- What will you do with my mammogram film(s)?
The mammograms will be scanned into a computer, all identifying personal information will be removed, and a study identification number will be applied to the image. Computer software will then be used to measure the breast density by reading the mammogram film(s). The mammograms will not be used for diagnostic purposes. Original mammograms will be returned to the lending hospital or radiological facility within 10 business days. In addition, they will be available to your physician within 48 hours of receipt of request.
- How will I know if I am chosen to provide a copy of my most recent mammogram?
You will be notified in the in-person visit packet cover letter whether you have been identified to participate in the PEDIGREE Study. If you have been selected we will ask your permission to obtain a copy of your past mammogram film(s) from the facility where you received this service. You will be sent medical release forms to sign for this purpose.
- Why are you asking me to provide authorization of my breast cancer pathology report and tumor tissue sample?
Pathology reports and tumor tissue samples provide details about the type of cancer and how it behaves. Different types of cancer may have different causes. To understand how to prevent breast cancer, we need to be able to identify the type of cancer a person has.
- What will you do with my breast cancer pathology report and tumor tissue sample?
Pathology reports will be reviewed to determine the characteristics your pathologist found. For example, some pathology reports include information about whether estrogen can make a tumor grow. We will also request a tumor tissue sample from the hospital where you had your surgery. Either the hospital or another laboratory will take a small slice from the tumor tissue sample for us. The remainder of your tumor tissue sample will remain at the hospital. As part of this study, we will look for markers and characteristics, including DNA, that will provide information about how your tumor developed and grew.
- How will I know if I am chosen to provide permission for the CHDS to obtain my breast cancer pathology report and tumor tissue sample?
You will be sent a special invitation letter if you have been identified to participate in the PEDIGREE Study. If you have been selected and you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, we will ask your permission to obtain a copy of your pathology report and tumor tissue sample. You will be sent medical release forms to sign for this purpose.
- Can I get results of the breast cancer pathology report or tumor tissue sample study?
At this time, we are not able to provide individual results about any tests we do with your breast cancer pathology report or tumor tissue sample. Testing of the collected reports and samples will be done in a research lab and the tests are not for clinical use (meaning they are not intended to be used by doctors for diagnosing or treating medical problems).
Scientific findings from the study are based on data from combined results of individual samples. We will share study results with you through our website, newsletters, and publications in scientific journals. We are happy to provide you final study reports or reprints of any journal articles, when they are completed, at your request to the study director, Dr. Cohn. As the findings of the study are published, the CHDS and 3Gs websites will be updated to include summaries of these results.
- How did you know I had been diagnosed with breast cancer?
We received information about your breast cancer diagnosis either from a previous study you participated in with the CHDS or from the California Cancer Registry. In your invitation letter to the PEDIGREE Daughters Study, we identify the source of this information.
The California Cancer Registry (CCR) was created by the California State Legislature to help find the causes and cures of cancer. Every new cancer diagnosis in California is required by law to be reported to the CCR. Information about individuals diagnosed with cancer can only be released for research purposes to qualified researchers who meet rigorous ethical and procedural standards set by the State of California Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects and who agree to maintain the confidentiality of the information they collect. We have been granted permission by the CCR to contact you about this study.
If your blood or saliva sample is one of those tested for environmental contaminants by the 3Gs Study and DNA methylation by the PEDIGREE Study you will have the option of choosing to have the results of these tests sent to you. These results are not designed for medical use and the information you receive may not suggest any actions you can take to reduce your health risk or exposure to these compounds. However, if you do choose to receive these results we will provide you with as much information as we can.
If your mammogram film is one of those used by the PEDIGREE Study, you will have the opportunity to learn how your breast density results compare to other participants in this study. These results are not measured by a radiologist and should not be used to make decisions about your health care. If you are concerned, you can discuss these results with your doctor.
At this time, we are not able to provide individual results about any tests we do with your pathology report or tumor tissue sample. Testing of the collected reports and samples will be done in a research lab and the tests are not for clinical use (meaning they are not intended to be used by doctors for diagnosing or treating medical problems).
You will be provided with results from the measurements of your blood pressure, height, weight, and waist size if you participate in the 3Gs in-person visit. The examiner will give you these results at the conclusion of the visit. These results are for your information and are not to be used to assess your risk for disease. You may contact your health care provider with concerns.
There is no obligation to participate – your decision is completely voluntary. Participation in PEDIGREE is not required for you to still be part of the CHDS and the other studies we conduct.
Making sure your information is kept private is a top priority for us. If you chose to participate in the PEDIGREE Study, your identifying information will be kept confidential by study staff using federal privacy guidelines for research studies.
Please see our Privacy Practices page to learn more about how we protect your confidentiality.
