COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) has launched its fourth statewide cancer research initiative — this one focused on increasing breast cancer education, facilitating access to genetic counseling and ensuring appropriate screening, follow-up for abnormalities and treatment for Black women who are at an increased risk for breast cancer. The Turning the Page on Breast Cancer in Ohio program was launched with funding support from Pelotonia, the American Cancer Society and Pfizer, and is a collaborative effort of experts from the OSUCCC – James, Ohio Association of Community Health Centers, Susan G. Komen and the North Central Region of the American Cancer Society. Electra Paskett, PhD, MSPH, and Heather Hampel, MS, LGC, serve as principal investigators of the study. “Studies confirm that in the United States, Black women are 42% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women — and on average, Black women develop more aggressive breast cancer and die at younger ages than white women. Many factors, including insurance, socioeconomics and more frequent gene mutations, contribute to this disparity,” says Paskett, who serves as co-leader of the OSUCCC – James Cancer Control Research Program and holds the Marion N. Rowley Designated Chair in Cancer Research at the Ohio State College of Medicine. “We are working to identify and directly break down those barriers to help women who are at the highest risk of developing breast cancer,” Paskett adds. “Our goal is to help these women both understand their risk and get the medical guidance they need.” Study Design and Implementation The OSUCCC – James-led collaborative team will use a multi-level approach in 12 Ohio counties to provide breast cancer education and facilitate access to risk assessment, genetic counseling and testing, appropriate screening/surveillance, follow-up for abnormal tests, and prompt and appropriate treatment for Black women. Researchers will use geographic predictors (county) of aggressive disease to identify and inform women who live in high-risk counties. Participating counties will include Franklin, Fairfield, Clark, Butler, Hamilton, Lake, Cuyahoga, Lorain, Trumbull, Summit, Stark and Mahoning. These 12 Ohio counties were selected based on having the highest rates of breast cancer mortality among black women. Several strategies (e.g., Facebook ads, referral from providers or community organizations) will be used to direct interested women to a website where they can enter information about themselves and their family history of cancer to determine if they are at increased risk for breast cancer. High-risk women will be referred to genetic counseling, where they can receive a tailored risk assessment and genetic testing when appropriate. Women will then receive a personal prescription for breast health and be connected to experts who can help them navigate next steps. “The best cancer medicine is prevention ­— or at minimum, very early detection. We have the tools to identify women who are at the highest risk of developing breast cancer through genetic testing, and we know that many Black women specifically do not have access to these services. This new statewide research initiative is a step toward changing that,” says Hampel, a practicing genetic counselor with The James and professor/associate director of the Division of Human Genetics at the Ohio State College Medicine. She also is a member of the OSUCCC – James Molecular Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program. All participating women will receive information about when to start breast cancer screening and what that screening should entail based on their risk stratification. Women will then be connected to local breast health specialists for their screening and follow-up. Efforts will be made at local health centers to ensure that women seen in those medical clinics have up-to-date screening and that women with abnormal screening tests receive proper and timely follow-up. To learn more about the breast cancer initiative, visit endbreastcancerohio.org. The OSUCCC – James has three other statewide cancer research initiatives focused on lung, colon and endometrial cancer.    To learn more about patient care and research at the OSUCCC – James, visit cancer.osu.edu or call 614-293-5066. -30- About the OSUCCC – James The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute strives to create a cancer-free world by integrating scientific research with excellence in education and patient-centered care, a strategy that leads to better methods of prevention, detection and treatment. Ohio State is one of 51 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers and one of only a few centers funded by the NCI to conduct both phase I and phase II clinical trials on novel anticancer drugs sponsored by the NCI. As the cancer program’s 356-bed adult patient-care component, The James is one of the top cancer hospitals in the nation as ranked by U.S. News & World Report and has achieved Magnet designation, the highest honor an organization can receive for quality patient care and professional nursing practice. With 21 floors and more than 1.1 million square feet, The James is a transformational facility that fosters collaboration and integration of cancer research and clinical cancer care. To learn more, visit cancer.osu.edu. Media Contact: Amanda J. Harper OSUCCC – James Media Relations Direct Line: 614-685-5420 Central Media Relations: 614-293-3737 Amanda.Harper2@osumc.edu