Protocol to Examine Methylation of Tumor Suppression Genes in Women at High Risk of Developing Breast Cancer

QM-MSP, Ki-67, and Cytomorphology of RPFNA Specimens From High Risk Women

A study to examine the correlations between methylation of various genes associated with breast cancer and proliferation and cytomorphology in breast epithelial cells acquired by random periareolar fine needle aspiration of women at high risk for development of breast cancer.

A study to examine the correlation between gene promotor methylation and benign breast tissue proliferation and cytomorphology collected via random periareolar fine needle aspiration in postmenopausal women at increased risk for breast cancer.

Inclusion criteria:

• women at high risk of developing breast cancer determined by family or personal history
• willing to participate in companion protocol (KUMC HSC#4601) for random periareolar fine needle aspiration (RPFNA) for correlational studies

Exclusion criteria:

• exclude women who have been on raloxifene, tamoxifen, letrozole, anastrozole or exemestane within the six months prior to RPFNA