Breast Cancer Treatment in Women with PALB2 Mutations

About the Study

The PALB2 Study is an international research study to better understand breast cancer treatment among women with a PALB2 gene mutation. Participants are asked to complete online or paper study questionnaires (every two years for 10 years) and share their family history, medical, and genetics records.

Research shows that PALB2 mutations increase the risk of developing breast cancer; however, it is not clear how to best treat or reduce the risk of breast cancer in women with PALB2 mutations. Learning more about breast cancer among women with a PALB2 mutation will help to better understand: 

• If women with a PALB2-associated breast cancer have an increased risk of developing a new breast cancer
• The best treatment for women with a PALB2 mutation and breast cancer to increase the chance of survival
• How healthy family members who carry a PALB2 mutation can best manage their cancer risks (through screening, preventive surgery, etc.)

Through a better understanding of PALB2-associated breast cancer, we can personalize breast cancer treatment to increase survival and determine how to best manage at risk family members to detect cancer early or prevent it.

What the Study Entails

You do not have to travel to participate; all study forms and questionnaires can be completed from home. If you choose to participate, you will be asked to:

• Complete a consent form indicating your willingness to participate
• Provide contact information for yourself and an alternate contact
• Complete a questionnaire about your breast cancer at the beginning of the study and follow-up questionnaires every two years for 10 years to record and changes in your health (total of six questionnaires)
• Provide your family history
• Give permission to the study to collect medical records about your genetic test results and your cancer diagnosis and treatment                                                                            

Study Lead Investigator

Kelly Metcalfe, PhD
Women's College Research Institute
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

You are eligible to participate in this study if you meet all of the following criteria:

• You are a woman who has a PALB2 mutation and
• You were diagnosed with breast cancer in the year 2000 or later and
• Your breast cancer was your first diagnosis of cancer 
• You can read and understand English

The study is not open to:

• Women who have not been diagnosed with breast cancer
• Women who do not carry a PALB2 mutation