FORECEE (4C) BRCA UNITE: IMMUNE

Introduction to the study

BRCA UNITE: Immune is an exciting new research study as part of FORECEE (4C) BRCA UNITE aiming to explore the molecular (genetic and epigenetic), immunological and hormonal factors that could help to predict a woman’s risk of cancer.

BRCA UNITE: Immune will aim to identify immune markers and carry out a panel of functional tests to assess the body’s responsiveness to specific cancer targets. We hope this will help us understand how cancer develops in women at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer, such as those affected by a BRCA1/2 gene variation.

Your contribution would be extremely valuable in providing information for the research community to help us to find an alternative to invasive risk-reducing surgery and improved care for women at risk of hereditary breast and gynaecological cancer.

Participation is completely voluntary, and you can choose to opt out at any point. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact one of our research team members via the website or call us on ‭07801 717250‬ for an initial chat with the research team.

To take part in BRCA UNITE: Immune we are looking for females aged 18 years and above (no upper age limit), who do not have a prior history of cancer or cancer treatment and still have one/both of their fallopian tubes and ovaries intact.

For the research, we require the following sample(s), as will be further explained on our detailed consent form;

a) 1 x blood sample of 60mL (approximately 4 tablespoons) that will be done by either a phlebotomist or one of our experienced research team members. This blood sample will be processed in a laboratory by a team of scientists.

and/or

b) For women who might consider undergoing risk-reducing surgery (removal of fallopian tubes and/or ovaries) in the future, we ask for a small portion of tissue (that is already removed and not used for diagnostic purposes) to be provided for research purposes.

We are currently recruiting at UCLH, Royal Free Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital. If you have any questions about the study, please consider getting in touch with our researchers via the website or call us on ‭07801 717250‬.

Thank you for considering taking part in this study and help to identify the causes of early cancer development, which is the first step in developing strategies to prevent it.