New research on how genetic and biological factors contribute to breast cancer risk among black women was launched Wednesday. It is the largest-ever study of its kind.

Researchers will try to identify genetic factors that may underlie breast cancer disparities. This project is funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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The Breast Cancer Genetic Study in African-Ancestry Populations initiative builds on past research from investigators who are part of the African-American Breast Cancer Consortium, the African-American Breast Cancer Epidemiology and Risk (AMBER) Consortium, and the NCI Cohort Consortium, the NIH reported.

The various researchers will compile and share biospecimens, data, and resources from 18 studies. This will bring the study population to 20,000 black women with breast cancer.

“This effort is about making sure that all Americans – no matter their background – reap the same benefits from the promising advances of precision medicine. The exciting new approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment ring hollow unless we can effectively narrow the gap of cancer disparities, and this new research initiative will help us do that,” said Douglas R. Lowy, M.D., acting director of NCI.

Although breast cancer survival rates have been improving, black women are more likely to die from the disease and are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive subtypes of breast cancer. The rate of triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive subtype, is twice as high in black women, according to the NIH.

Breast Cancer Incidence by Race | HealthGrove

Researchers believe that a mix of genetics, environment and societal factors — including access to health care — contribute to the disparity.

“A number of studies have suggested that genetic factors may influence breast cancer disparities, so we’re hopeful that this project can help to shed further light on this matter,” said Damali Martin, Ph.D., program director for the DCCPS Genomic Epidemiology Branch. Dr. Martin’s office is working directly with the grant recipients as well as the consortia groups that have been researching black women and breast cancer.