# Genetic testing in young women for cancer prevention

> **NIH NIH K07** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MED BR GALVESTON · 2021 · $126,330

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
With this Career Development Award, I aim to develop independence in cancer prevention research through
consistent and focused mentorship, didactic coursework and seminars, and advanced skill training. While I
already have a solid foundation in predictive modeling and advanced statistical and epidemiological methods, I
need intensive training in the fields of population genetics, decision analytic modeling, economic evaluation,
and comparative effectiveness research to further my career in cancer prevention. This award will provide me
with the training, support, mentorship, and research experience that I require. I will be mentored by leading
experts in the fields of comparative effectiveness research (Dr. Yong-fang Kuo), economic evaluation (Dr. Ya-
Chen Tina Shih), and women's health and cancer prevention (Dr. Abbey B. Berenson). My K07 project will
explore whether population-based genetic testing in young women (20–40 years) is advisable, feasible, and
cost-effective for the prevention of breast and ovarian cancer. In the 1990s, the discovery of BRCA1 and
BRCA2 mutations in women susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer opened up the opportunity for
individualized cancer prevention care. Since then, numerous genetic variants have been linked to high cancer
susceptibility. Over half of women with BRCA mutations will develop breast or ovarian cancer during their
lifetimes, but BRCA-related cancers are preventable if mutation carriers are identified and treated before
cancer onset. BRCA testing based on family history and ancestry has been recommended by the US
Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for cancer prevention. However, BRCA testing currently fails to
identify most mutation carriers before they are diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer; only 10% of
unaffected BRCA mutation carriers have been identified in the US. We propose to study current genetic
testing practices and conduct an economic evaluation of population-based screening using simulation
modeling. The specific aims of this proposal are to 1) assess current practice patterns of genetic testing and
the comparative effectiveness of current risk management strategies among mutation carriers in the US, 2)
quantify the health impact of genetic testing and risk-based cancer preventive care on breast and ovarian
cancer outcomes by creating a Markov simulation model, and 3) conduct an economic evaluation of
population-based genetic testing in young women. This research project will provide an excellent vehicle for
me to develop expertise in comparative effectiveness research, decision modeling, and economic evaluation in
cancer preventive research. These advanced skills and the preliminary data I collect will ensure a successful
bridge to submission of competitive R01 applications to conduct economic evaluations of new screening,
diagnostic, and risk management strategies in multiple types of cancer. The proposed research will help policy-
makers, health care organizations,...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10197835
- **Project number:** 5K07CA222343-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MED BR GALVESTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Fangjian Guo
- **Activity code:** K07 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $126,330
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-05 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10197835

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10197835, Genetic testing in young women for cancer prevention (5K07CA222343-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10197835. Licensed CC0.

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