The Cancer Institute of New Jersey LIFE Center

The Cancer Institute of New Jersey utilizes LIFE funds to support its high-risk breast cancer programs in The LIFE Center utilizing a multidisciplinary team of breast cancer experts to study unique cancer causes, identify novel risk factors and develop effective preventative strategies for young women at risk for breast cancer.  The LIFE Center provides genetic counseling and risk assessment for women at risk and houses prominent researchers in the field of genetics as they study factors that may cause early onset breast cancer. The LIFE Center is developing a familial cancer registry database of individuals seen through the program.  Researchers with permission to access a cancer registry can study factors implicated in cancer development including the genetic and environmental causes, ultimately leading to early detection, prevention and improved treatments.

In addition to using LIFE funds to support the clinical, educational and research activities of the LIFE Center, CINJ also established a post-doctoral LIFE Fellowship that focuses on the development of educational intervention in the high school settings. The ToxRAP Breast Cancer Module is an inquiry-based (problem based learning) biology curriculum. These programs promote breast health among teenagers, reduce factors that increase the risk of breast cancer, develop innovative risk-reduction for young women and study the biopsycholsocial processes that place women at risk.

LIFE funds have been used to expand the LIFE center services to reach additional New Jersey area affiliate hospitals, including Morristown Memorial Hospital, Mountainside Hospital, Overlook Hospital, CentraState Medical Center and Robert Wood Johnson Hospital at Hamilton.

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