Center for Individualized Medicine

Breast Cancer: STRIVE Study

The STRIVE Study was designed to test a new option for early detection of multiple types of cancer. The STRIVE Study captures the spirit of the joint effort between researchers, health care providers and volunteer participants to evaluate an additional tool for the early detection of cancer. STRIVE is not an acronym.

Using technology developed by GRAIL Inc. (Menlo Park, California), the STRIVE Study gathered blood samples from about 100,000 women at the time of their screening mammograms. These samples were tested for small pieces of DNA and RNA released into the blood by tumors.

This study examines the extent to which a blood test can:

Detect breast and other invasive cancers (including hematologic malignancies) in clinically meaningful subgroups
Find breast cancers that mammograms may overlook
Reduce the number of times women without cancer need follow-up to rule out cancer
Increase the chances that a biopsy is recommended only for those who have cancer

The earlier that cancer is found, the greater the chance of a cure. The goal of the STRIVE Study is to make this blood test available to patients within the next five years.

The GRAIL test also will be used to detect multiple types of cancer early. This multicancer test may be an important addition to existing screening methods for cancers.