Starting today, Estonian women aged 35–49 have the opportunity to participate in the study "BRIGHT - breast cancer risk assessment and timely management".
The applied study evaluates the use of a personalized prevention program based on the genetic risks of breast cancer in Estonian, Swedish and Portuguese health care. The study is organized in Estonia by the University of Tartu University of Tartu - Tartu Ülikool is an Estonian higher education institute. , the Antegenes Medical Laboratory and the Tartu University Clinic. The Estonian Health Insurance Fund participates in the study as an external partner.
The purpose of the BRIGHT study is to test the channels and organization of the implementation of precision breast cancer screening based on genetic risks in the healthcare system of European countries. The study analyzes a woman's genetic predisposition to breast cancer, and based on this, personal medical recommendations and options for breast cancer prevention and early detection are given. Women aged 35 to 49 years who have not had malignant tumors and who have not previously been tested for breast cancer predisposition based on the polygenic risk score can participate in the study. In Estonia, a total of 800 women can participate in the study. Participation in the study and accompanying health services are free of charge.
Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor among Estonian women and the cause of death due to tumors. In order to detect breast cancer as early as possible and reduce breast cancer mortality, mammographic screening is organized in Estonia for women aged 50–69 years. Breast cancer detected early is curable. "Unfortunately, breast cancer also occurs in younger women, but it is not practical to screen all of them in the same way. Breast cancer has a genetic predisposition, so a woman's individual genetic breast cancer risk must be taken into account. This is why gene tests are used, with which we can find women with an increased risk of breast cancer, so that they can get to examinations in time," explained Dr. Kristiina Ojamaa, head of the hematology-oncology clinic of the Tartu University Clinic.
Oncologist Dr. Peeter Padrik, founder of the medical laboratory Antegenes, said that modern breast cancer prevention must be based on personal risk assessments based on modern viewpoints, and not the same for all women. "I have seen enough advanced breast cancers discovered too late that cannot be cured. With precision breast cancer screening, we can change this situation. We have already developed a full breast cancer precision screening service that assesses both a woman's polygenic risk and, if necessary, the presence of rare individual genes that increase the risk of breast cancer. In the BRIGHT study, together with our partners, we are testing the systematic use of such a full service in Estonian healthcare and various channels through which we can involve women," explained Padrik.
If participating in the study, the woman will be given a novel gene test AnteBC, developed by the Estonian medical laboratory Antegenes, to assess the polygenic predisposition to breast cancer. To perform the test, it is necessary to give a simple and painless sample taken from the mouth with a cotton swab, from which the DNA is extracted.
The AnteBC test assesses a woman's personal genetic predisposition to the development of breast cancer, and based on this, recommendations are given at what age and how to start participating in mammographic screening for breast cancer. If the results indicate an increased risk, i.e. the need for screening, a digital referral is issued and the woman can participate in breast cancer early detection screening at the appropriate health facilities. In addition, the need for more comprehensive genetic studies by medical geneticists is also specified. All tests and medical activities used in the BRIGHT study are health services recognized in Estonia and the European Union.
"The BRIGHT study is an important project, with which we help to implement personalized medicine in Estonian health care on the one hand, and on the other hand to take the knowledge here to other parts of Europe and test it immediately in the health care there. We actively invite women to join the study, because with your participation you will contribute to the wider adoption of personalized medicine both in Estonia and elsewhere in Europe," said Dr. Neeme Tõnisson, professor of medical genetics at the University of Tartu University of Tartu - Tartu Ülikool is an Estonian higher education institute. , who is the responsible researcher of the project.
The Estonian Bioethics and Human Research Council has given approval to conduct the study. Similar studies are also being carried out in cooperation with partners in Sweden and Portugal. The study is supported by the European Commission through the EIT Health organization.
You can enter the study through four different channels: the website of the medical laboratory Antegenes, the chest office of the University of Tartu University of Tartu - Tartu Ülikool is an Estonian higher education institute. clinic, selected pharmacies of Apotheka in Tallinn Tallinn, the largest city and capital of Estonia (population 440 000). and Tartu, and Rapla Town in central Estonia(pop. 5,000). Family Medical Center.