An inherited predisposition to breast or ovarian cancer occurs in tens of thousands of families in the Netherlands. Since its inception, the Hebon study (Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer in the Netherlands) has been the foundation for research into cancer risks, prevention, and treatment within this group. However, not everyone who undergoes genetic testing participates, and medical data are often difficult to collect.
With this new funding, the team aims to reach more diverse groups of people, including those who currently have less access to research or care. The project also intends to develop new methods to automatically collect and organize medical data with tools such as artificial intelligence (AI). This will make it easier for researchers to use the data in future studies.
“Thanks to the support of KWF Dutch Cancer Society, we can ensure the continuation of research that is relevant to families affected by hereditary breast cancer,” says Schmidt. “By reaching more people and making better use of data, we can further improve our understanding of hereditary cancer risk and how best to support those who carry it.”
The project is part of KWF’s Risk-based Screening – Infrastructure call, which aims to improve early detection of cancer through a more personalized approach.