IN MEMORIAM: BCRF remembers its greatest champion—Leonard A. Lauder.

Areas of Focus

Breast cancer is a complex disease…

with no simple solution. That’s why our researchers are investigating it from every angle. Learn more about our areas of focus and why each one is critical to stopping cancer from the start, slowing its progress, and one day preventing it altogether.

Areas of Focus

Heredity & Ethnicity

Lifestyle & Prevention

Heredity & Ethnicity

Most people who develop breast cancer have no family history of the disease, but we know that’s not always the case. A person’s family history, inheritance, race and ethnicity are all important risk factors that have long been part of our research agenda. Our scientists have been behind major breakthroughs in this area, including discovering the role BRCA1 and BRCA2 play in breast cancer and uncovering the genetic link to more aggressive forms of the disease in women of African descent. The more progress our researchers make, the better doctors are able to predict who is at risk and what can be done to prevent cancer’s onset.

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Heredity & Ethnicity Researchers

Susan Kesmodel, MD

Titles and Affiliations Director of Breast Surgical Oncology Co-Leader of Breast Site Disease Group...

BCRF Investigator Since

2024

Ying Ni, PhD

Titles and Affiliations Assistant Professor Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine Assistant Staff Member,...

BCRF Investigator Since

2024

Shani Paluch-Shimon, MBBS

Titles and Affiliations Director of Breast Oncology, Sharett Institute of Oncology Co-Director of the...

BCRF Investigator Since

2024

Melissa Troester, PhD, MPH

Titles and Affiliations Professor, Epidemiology and Pathology & Lab Medicine Director, Center for Environmental...

BCRF Investigator Since

2023

Celeste Leigh Pearce, PhD, MPH

Titles and Affiliations Professor, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health Rogel Scholar and...

BCRF Investigator Since

2023

Julie Palmer, ScD

Titles and Affiliations Karin Grunebaum Professor in Cancer Research, Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine Director,...

BCRF Investigator Since

2023

Terry Hyslop, PhD

Titles and Affiliations Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Director, Center for...

BCRF Investigator Since

2023

Elisa Bandera, MD, PhD

Titles and Affiliations Professor and Chief of Cancer Epidemiology Co-Leader, Cancer Prevention and Control...

BCRF Investigator Since

2023

Veronica Jones, MD, FACS

Titles and Affiliations Assistant Professor, Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery and Division...

BCRF Investigator Since

2023

Jeffrey Weitzel, MD

Titles and Affiliations Director, Division of Precision Prevention Department of Internal Medicine Research area...

BCRF Investigator Since

2023

View All Researchers

Heredity & Ethnicity News

Research

Support research with a legacy gift. Sample, non-binding bequest language:

I give to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, located in New York, NY, federal tax identification number 13-3727250, ________% of my total estate (or $_____).

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Areas of Focus

Breast cancer is a complex disease…

Areas of Focus

Heredity & Ethnicity

Heredity & Ethnicity Researchers

Susan Kesmodel, MD

Ying Ni, PhD

Shani Paluch-Shimon, MBBS

Melissa Troester, PhD, MPH

Celeste Leigh Pearce, PhD, MPH

Julie Palmer, ScD

Terry Hyslop, PhD

Elisa Bandera, MD, PhD

Veronica Jones, MD, FACS

Jeffrey Weitzel, MD

Heredity & Ethnicity News

What to Know About the USPSTF’s New Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations

The Future of Breast Cancer Risk Prediction with Dr. Regina Barzilay

Lowering Barriers to Genetic Testing with Dr. Susan Domchek

Behind the Breakthroughs: All About New Screening Recommendations

BE THE END OF CANCER

Knowledge Is Power

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