Activity

Activity Description

In response to a request from Susan G. Komen for the Cure^®, the IOM will assemble a committee to:

• Review the evidentiary standards for identifying and measuring cancer risk factors,
• Review and assess the strength of the science base regarding the relationship between breast cancer and the environment,
• Consider the potential interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors,
• Consider potential evidence-based actions that women could take to reduce their risk of breast cancer,
• Review the methodological challenges involved in conducting research on breast cancer and the environment, and
• Develop recommendations for future research in this area.

In addition to reviewing the published literature, the committee will seek input from stakeholders, in part by organizing and conducting a public workshop to examine issues related to the current status of evidentiary standards and the science base, research methods, and promising areas of research. The workshop will focus on the challenges involved in the design, conduct, and interpretation of research on breast cancer and the environment. The committee will generate a technical report with conclusions and recommendations, as well as a summary report for the lay public.