Current Research Interests

Dr. Watt’s research aims to identify novel markers of breast cancer risk and to understand the long-term risks of disease related to cancer treatment. The first area of investigation seeks to identify imaging features on mammogram and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that identify women with an increased risk of breast cancer. In particular, Dr. Watt is focused on a measure called background parenchymal enhancement (BPE), measured on MRI, which is a promising new marker of future breast cancer risk. He is now investigating whether BPE measured on contrast-enhanced mammogram, a more affordable modality than MRI, may also identify women with an increased risk of breast cancer. The second area of investigation concerns the health of survivors of pediatric and adult cancers. Previously, he worked with the WECARE Study collaborative team to show that the receipt of left-sided vs right-sided breast radiation therapy was associated with a more than 2-fold increased risk of subsequent coronary artery disease. Other work with the WECARE Study has identified genetic factors that increase the risk of radiation-associated second primary breast cancers after receiving radiation therapy for a first breast cancer. He recently received a Career Development Award from the Childhood Cancer Survivors Study to identify genetic factors that may increase the risk of second primary cancers among survivors of pediatric cancers.