Breast Clinic in Minnesota

Research

The Breast Diagnostic Center is committed to ongoing research in the diagnosis and treatment of breast benign and malignant diseases. Mayo Clinic physicians currently are studying, among other things:

• Detection of circulating cancer cells for early diagnosis of breast cancer
• Tamoxifen and raloxifene as a prevention for breast cancer
• Therapies for metastatic breast cancer
• Bone marrow analysis in breast cancer
• Ginkgo biloba for prevention of chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction
• The effects of exercise and sleep training on the fatigue of cancer patients receiving radiation
• Breast imaging using MRI
• Mammographic breast density
• Alternative medicine for various breast conditions
• MR-guided focused ultrasound ablation breast cancer

Women's Cancer Program

The Women's Cancer Program at Mayo Clinic conducts cutting-edge, innovative research to improve treatment management options for women with breast and gynecologic cancers. This multidisciplinary program brings together researchers and clinicians to further the current understanding of women's cancers, provide compassionate care, and educate patients and their families about women's cancers. Researchers in gynecologic surgery, medical and radiation oncology, medical genetics, pathology and other specialties work together to give women with cancer the widest possible range of treatment options. As part of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, the Women's Cancer Program is poised to offer innovative new therapies available through clinical trials. The Women's Cancer Program also provides psychosocial support classes, a resource center, and educational programs for patients and their families.

The Women's Cancer Program is conducting a national research study on potential biomarkers that indicate which women with benign breast disease are at risk for eventually developing breast cancer. Funded by a Breast Cancer Center of Excellence grant from the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program, this four-year study will look for molecular risk predictors in benign breast tissue. The study will draw upon tissue specimens taken from 12,000 women who had breast biopsies performed at Mayo Clinic between 1967 and 1991, and were found to have benign breast disease.

Clinical Trials

For a listing of clinical trials involving patients at Mayo Clinic, see the Clinical Trials Web page. It lists clinical trials by condition, treatment, specialty, and Mayo Clinic location.

This list includes only trials about which Mayo researchers have chosen to publish information. There are many other trials under way which are not part of this listing. Ask your doctor about clinical trials appropriate for your situation.