Heart disease is the number one cause of death in Canada for women over the age of 55. Women are more likely to die from heart disease than from any other disease. Therefore, early detection and prevention are important to decrease risk of heart attacks and stroke.
Calcium deposits in breast arteries are associated with higher heart disease risk in women. Dr. Elsie Nguyen, cardiothoracic radiologist, and her team at Women’s College Hospital (WCH) have launched a study to investigate impact of the relationship between calcium deposits in breast arteries seen on mammogram and calcium deposits seen on computed tomography (CT) scans of the heart.
Would you like to know more about your heart disease risk? Your mammogram may provide more information than you think! Please consider joining the BEACON study. You may be eligible to participate in the BEACON study if you:
- Have no established heart disease AND
- Are having a screening mammogram at WCH
Participation involves:
- Completing an initial interview with research staff that takes about 20 minutes
- Undergoing a mammogram at WCH
- Undergoing a CT scan of your heart
- Completing a 10-minute follow-up questionnaire over the phone or by email
Participants will receive a parking voucher for visits related to the study.
If you are interested in participating in the trial or have any questions, please contact the study coordinator:
Teresa Bianco
teresa.bianco@wchospital.ca
416.323.6400 ext. 2301