In October 2020, Carolina Mammography Registry (CMR) Director Louise Henderson, PhD, was awarded a COVID-19 enhancement supplement ($53.3K) in collaboration with the University of California-Davis for her team’s Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) project entitled, “Comparative Effectiveness of Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnostic Evaluation by Extent of Breast Density.” 
Over 12 months, the award enables Dr. Henderson and her research team to participate in proposed data collection, data interpretation and scientific reporting activities, using existing study infrastructure for CMR to rapidly inform how breast imaging facilities should respond during the pandemic and potential future surges. This research aims to provide actionable information that facilities can use to prioritize women for breast imaging and biopsy during different phases of the pandemic, including restoration of services and future COVID-19 surges.
Dr. Henderson noted: “Current recommendations for prioritizing women for breast imaging and biopsies during the pandemic are based on expert opinion rather than data-driven real-world evidence. This study leverages the geographically diverse Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC) to provide actionable information to radiology facilities by developing and deploying a “prioritization toolkit” that will prioritize women who need imminent breast imaging or biopsy.”