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<p>Although Asian women tend to develop breast cancer less than Caucasian women, recent studies suggest that trend is changing.</p>

IU Simon Cancer Center’s Tissue Bank Collecting Samples June 26

That difference is one puzzle that researchers with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center hope to address by encouraging women, especially Asian women, to donate a breast tissue and blood sample.

The cancer center’s Komen Tissue Bank is collecting breast tissue and blood samples from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 26, in the Hematology Clinic and Women’s Center (second floor) in the new patient building of the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, 1030 W. Michigan St.

Parking is available across the street in the Vermont Street Garage on the Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus.

What to Expect During the Donation Process

During the donation process, a tissue sample is taken from one breast with a needle and local anesthesia.  The amount of tissue taken is about one gram (or the size of two peas).  

To participate, women must:

  • be age 18 or older
  • have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign an informed consent
  • be willing to give one hour of their time to complete a questionnaire and a breast biopsy
  • not be allergic to local anesthetics (numbing medicine)
  • not be receiving a therapeutic blood thinner (this does not include aspirin)
  • not have breast implants or have had a breast reduction

To register, visit www.komentissuebank.iu.edu or contact Pat Mitchum at (317) 274-2366 or pamitchu@iupui.edu.  Donors must have a confirmed appointment time. 

By collecting samples from women with and without breast cancer, researchers will be able to determine the differences between these populations, which could lead to a better understanding of the disease. Samples taken from women without the disease are especially helpful because there are few collections of so-called “normal” specimens.  The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center, which is the first and only healthy breast tissue bank in the world, will ultimately give researchers valuable and unprecedented research data.