Mammography and Breast Arterial Calcification: An Information-Sharing Trial (NCT04983875) | Clinical Trial Compass
Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable
Mammography and Breast Arterial Calcification: An Information-Sharing Trial
United States5,492 participantsStarted 2021-09-29
Plain-language summary
The purpose of this research study was to determine the potential benefits of adding information on patients' breast arterial calcification (BAC) results to the standard results letter women receive after mammography. In addition to looking for potential breast cancer, research shows that mammograms can also detect the presence of calcifications within the breast arteries. Those calcifications can be associated with coronary artery disease. Women are not currently routinely told whether or not they have BAC; that is, it's not part of standard national practice to communicate that information to patients. However, previous research has suggested that patients would like to be informed about the BAC status more often. In this study, the team had two goals. First, the team wanted to measure the rates of BAC in a large, representative sample of 5492 women.
Second, the study team wanted to understand the effects of providing women with the BAC results as part of the standard post-mammography letter. Specifically, the study team wants to see how sharing BAC information might affect women's healthcare choices and lifestyle. The research includes 527 randomized women in this second part of the study, which is the first in the literature to explore women's reactions to the BAC results. If research shows that women find the information useful, BAC information may be given to women regularly in the future.
Who can participate
Age range
40 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria
* Female
* Scheduled to undergo mammography at one of Mount Sinai's breast radiology clinics (e.g., Dubin Breast Center, Radiology Associates)
* Age ≥ 40 years
* Read and speak English or Spanish
* Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent
* Willing to sign and date any applicable medical record release documents for the study
Exclusion Criteria:
* Participants with known coronary artery disease (via self-report)
* Previous physician-diagnosed heart attack, stroke or TIA, heart failure, angina or taking nitroglycerin, or atrial fibrillation (via self-report or review of EMR)
* Inability to understand and comply with the instructions of the study due to the presence of cognitive or psychiatric conditions (such as dementia, psychosis, or mania), compromising ability to provide informed consent and/or follow study procedures
* Pregnant women
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.