THEand women with breast or ovarian tumors have many arrows in their arch in 2025. One of these “arrows” is it Study e-bravepromoted by IRCCS Foundation National Cancer Institute of Milana research project on the role of lifestyles and prevention aimed at Women with mutation of the BRCA genes. The researchers of this scientific study have already received the adhesion of about 600 women, and are looking for another 1400 to complete the results. But why apply to participate, what implies and what are the benefits? The responsible of the study, the Dr. Patrizia Pasanisi, SSD Director Nutritional and Metabolomic Research at the IRCCS Foundation National Cancer Institute.
What is the goal of the e-brave study?
«The purpose of this multicenter study, also carried out thanks to the collaboration with colleagues in other Italian cities and associations, is that of Create a large web-commmune of women carved by BRCA mutations to follow over time to understand which lifestyle factors (and not only) are associated with the development of BRCA-Related tumors. Studying these risk factors, identifying new ones and modifying them through the lifestyle means opening new paths to the prevention of tumors associated with BRCA mutations, “says Dr. Patrizia Pasanisi.
«We want to build a large perspective cohort-web (with a blood bank) of volunteers carriers of mutations BRCA1/2, the study e-Brave (BRCA, RexecuteTORCH, VIRTUAL, ANDDucation). The study is conducted entirely online With the creation of a dedicated web page/portal (available both as a website and as a mobile application) and a web-Dashboard for researchers with an easy interface for data collection and a safe channel to share data and information between participants and researchers.
Prevention of tumors, new treatments and progress in progress
«The participants will provide, through questionnaires via app (BRCAPP), information on their lifestyle, anamnesis, eating habits/physical activity and they can continuously update their health status. The BRCAPP will allow the participants theContinuous and free access to a wide range of information/educational content on lifestyle (Nutritional and physical activities indications, webinars, video exercises/recipes). Study progress, BRCA-Related tumors, new treatments, potential risk/protective factors, regulatory news and more “, clarifies the expert.
What it means to have the BRCA mutation
«Inherit a mutation of the BRCA genes 1/2 means have a very high risk of developing a breast and/or ovary tumor in the course of life. If in the general population about 12 out of 100 women develop a breast cancer in the course of life, In women with BRCA mutations there are about 60 out of 100 those who get sick. But risk does not mean illness and not all mutation carriers develop a tumor », explains Dr. Pasanisi.
How the e-brave app works
The study is conducted through amobile application (BRCAPP) To download for free on phone or tablet. Through the BRCAPP, the participants in the study will compile short questionnaires on their life habits and will have unlimited and free access to content as information webinar, video, Video Exercises And much more. In addition, women who have not had a diagnosis of cancer will be invited to pay a visit to evaluate the body composition and a blood sampling (booking always available on the BRCAPP).
«Studying these risk factors, identifying new ones and modifying them through the lifestyle means Open new paths to the prevention of tumors associated with BRCA mutations. The analysis of the data collected by the participants in the Coort-WEB via BRCAPP and the blood sample will allow the identification and study of potential penetration modulators, the definition of new predictive risk models for BRCA-Related tumors and the creation in Time of recommendations aimed at improving the management and health of health with high genetic risk families, “adds Dr. Pasanisi responsible for the study.
Why an app to conduct the study?
«The Internet -based epidemiological studies are increasingly emerging, especially as regards the recruitment of numerous and geographically dispersed populations, the ability to incorporate new exposure evaluation tools based on IT technology and rapid expansion access through all layers social. Thanks to the Internet we have the opportunity to gradually collect huge quantities of data from a large sample of volunteers Which can be automatically verified and processed, “explains Dr. Pasanisi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDKEZBPSTOC
How do you find out you have the BRCA mutation?
“In general, a breast cancer at a young age (under 36 years), or bilateral tumor (below 50) or a breast and ovary tumor together or the presence of many cases of breast/ovary tumor in the family are An alarm bell. In all these cases the doctor invites the woman to one in -depth genetic advice and then possibly to the carrying out of the genetic test (simple blood sampling) », explains Dr. Pasanisi.
What to do when you find out you have this mutation?
«Once the diagnosis is carried out, you enter a tight surveillance program With diagnostic times and techniques according to age and (always depending on age), preventive prophylactic surgery interventions “, adds the expert.
How many women in Italy have the BRCA mutation?
“In Italy about 80,000 women have a mutation of the BRCA genes.”
What are the risks of the mutation?
«Women with mutation of genes BRCA1/2 have a risk of developing a breast cancer (cm) of about 70% for genes BRCA1 and slightly lower for the carriers of mutations of the genes BRCA2. For the ovarian carcinoma (Co), the risk is of about 40% for women BRCA1 and 15-20% for women BRCA2.
What other factors increase the risk of developing tumors?
«This incomplete penetration suggests that Other factors can influence the riskboth genetic (polymorphisms) and “environmental”, such as lifestyle (diet, physical activity, anthropometry) e metabolic/hormonal/inflammatory factors.
Epidemiological studies on families with BRCA mutations (comparing changed affection Versus healthy) have suggested that theobesitythephysical activity and some metabolic/growth factors (serum levels of adiponectin and IGF-i) act as penetrate modulators. In addition, mechanistic studies have suggested the potential role of specific polymorphisms, mirn, homic profilesintestinal microbiota and their metabolites in the development and prevention of BRCA-Related Cancer but, to date, studies and data on mutation carriers are missing “, clarifies Dr. Pasanisi.
Tumors: the preventive role of the Mediterranean diet
«Recently, we have concluded a prospective trial on over 500 bearers of mutations BRCA1/2 which has shown as an intervention of Mediterranean diet is effective in reduce body weightIGF-I and other potential metabolic modulators of penetration. The follow-up of this trial generated preliminary data on the incidence of BRCA-Related tumors according to randomization.
In the 161 healthy women with BRCA mutation that concluded the study, we observed 21 primary BRCA-Related events (8 events/83 women of intervention and 13 events/78 control women) after 3.5 years of follow-up on average. The overall incidence was 13% (3.7% year) “, adds the expert.
I woman © RESERVED REPRODUCTION