Researcher
Carla Finkielstein, PhD, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Study Review
Researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg are analyzing breast tissue samples from women who have not had breast cancer and have worked either day shifts or night shifts for at least five consecutive years to better understand whether wake/sleep cycle disruptions may increase breast cancer risk. They are comparing this breast tissue to breast tissue samples collected from women with breast cancer. The researchers wanted to enroll up to 50 volunteers from the Army of Women (AOW). The Call to Action for this study was sent to AOW members on Dec. 6, 2010. The AOW provided them with 340 women who were interested in enrolling in the study. The researchers closed enrollment on Nov. 25, 2013, after identifying 25 day-shift workers and 23 night-shift workers who met their full criteria.
