Electra D. Paskett, PhD
Ohio State University

Dr. Paskett's team's research focuses on examining the role nutrients, food intake, exercise, and body weight have on the development or prevention of breast cancer among high risk women. The main goal of their BCRF-funded program is to test innovative biomedical methods for preventing breast cancer that can then be moved forward into large-scale federally funded studies with the goal of developing ways to prevent breast cancer. BCRF is providing support four ongoing studies she is leading: 1) a study of tomato and soy supplementation on biomarkers of breast cancer risk; 2) a trial of a low fat vs. low carbohydrate diets on weight loss and biomarkers of breast cancer risk; 3) a study investigating whether a computer program can give effective social support for an exercise program; and 4) a study aimed at understanding the effect of energy balance on new cancer events among women who were diagnosed with an estrogen-related cancer (breast cancer) during their Women's Health Initiative follow-up. Through these initiatives the researchers will contribute to the scientific body of knowledge by providing information on nutritional ways to reduce risk of developing breast cancer among high-risk women.