BCAC - sporedata/researchdesigneR GitHub Wiki
General description
The Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC) is an international collaborative research group that aims to understand the environmental and genetic basis of breast cancer. Established in 2005, BCAC brings together researchers and scientists from over 300 institutions worldwide (encompassing a wide range of expertise in genetics, epidemiology, oncology, and bioinformatics) to conduct large-scale studies that identify genetic variants associated with breast cancer risk. The consortium leverages data from numerous case-control studies and cohort studies to perform meta-analyses and genome-wide association studies (GWAS).
BCAC's work contributes to the development of genetic risk models and helps to identify individuals at high risk of developing breast cancer. This research ultimately informs prevention strategies, screening programs, and potential therapeutic targets.
Benefit and categories
Benefits
- Genetic Insights: Provides valuable insights into the genetic factors contributing to breast cancer.
- Large-Scale Data: Utilizes data from numerous international studies, enhancing the statistical power of findings. The consortium has facilitated large-scale collaborative studies, combining data from multiple cohorts to achieve greater statistical power and robustness in research findings.
- Risk Prediction Models: BCAC’s research has contributed to the development of improved breast cancer risk prediction models, used in clinical settings to guide risk management and screening recommendations, thus improving early detection and prevention strategies.
BCAC’s work has important implications for public health, particularly in the areas of cancer prevention and personalized medicine. By identifying individuals at higher genetic risk for breast cancer, the consortium’s research supports the development of tailored prevention strategies, such as enhanced screening protocols and lifestyle interventions. Furthermore, the insights gained from BCAC’s studies contribute to the broader understanding of cancer biology, potentially leading to new therapeutic targets and treatment approaches.
Categories
- Risk Factors: Genetic predisposition, family history, lifestyle factors, etc.
- Population Data: Data from diverse ethnic and demographic groups.
- Genetic Variants: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), copy number variations, etc.
- Breast Cancer Subtypes: Hormone receptor status, HER2 status, triple-negative breast cancer, etc.
Limitations
- Data Heterogeneity: Variability in data quality and methods across different studies.
- Access Restrictions: Some datasets may have restricted access due to privacy concerns.
- Ethnic Representation: Underrepresentation of certain ethnic groups in genetic studies.
Related publications
- Breast cancer risk factors and their effects on survival: a Mendelian randomisation study
- Sex steroid hormones and risk of breast cancer: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
- Associations of genetically proxied inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase, NPC1L1, and PCSK9 with breast cancer and prostate cancer
- Comparison of 6q25 breast cancer hits from Asian and European Genome Wide Association Studies in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC)
Data access
Data access requires appropriate permissions and is typically available to researchers through formal collaboration with BCAC. Detailed information on how to access BCAC data can be found on their official website: