From Research to Action: Breaking New Ground-Symposium Update
Katherine McKenzie, Ph.D. CBCRP Manager–External Relations
On September 7-9, 2007, the CBCRP will return to Los Angeles to host our sixth statewide breast cancer research symposium, From Research to Action: Breaking New Ground, where we’ll explore the current advances in breast cancer research and plant seeds for breakthroughs to come.
We released a preliminary program in the spring that described the diverse topics that will be covered, from determining the best way to empower underserved communities in obtaining breast health, to understanding how changes in the physiology of the breast contribute to the development of tumors, to developing new ways to detect and diagnose breast cancer. The topics will be presented so that scientists and non-scientists alike will be able to understand and contribute to the discussion.
Registration for this year’s symposium is outstripping that of our 2005 symposium, which indicates interest in these critical topics. Since the original preliminary program was published, we have added several features that should make the symposium even more tantalizing.
We added a second plenary session on Friday evening that will explore the unequal burden of breast cancer. SRI Steering Committee members Olufunmilayo (Funmi) Olopade, M.D., F.A.C.P., and David Williams, Ph.D., will elucidate the racial and ethnic disparities in breast cancer and discuss possible reasons for them.
We have also selected the researchers who will present their work in the plenary poster session:
- Angiogenesis in the Progression of Premalignant Breast Ductal Proliferations Philip Carpenter, Ph.D.—University of California, Irvine
- Body Size and Premenopausal Breast Cancer Risk in a Multiethnic Population Esther John, Ph.D.—Northern California Cancer Center
- Diabetes and Risk of Breast Cancer in Asian American Women Anna H. Wu, Ph.D.—University of Southern California
- Identifying Metastatic Breast Cells from Peripheral Blood Kristin Kulp, Ph.D.—Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- Identifying Targeted Treatments for Wound-like Breast Cancers Howard Chang, M.D, Ph.D.—Stanford University
- Underserved Women with Breast Cancer at the End of Life: A CBPR Pilot StudyShelley Adler, Ph.D.—University of California San Francisco
For attendees who wish to explore topics in a more informal setting, our Meet the Experts breakfast session will feature small group discussions with expert leaders. Thus far, our leaders include:
- Anna Cluxton of the Young Survival Coalition will discuss advocacy for young women with breast cancer
- Celia Ortiz will discuss developing English-limited breast cancer support groups
- Dee Bainton, Ph.D. of University of California, San Francisco and Terri Burgess, Ph.D. of Amgen, Inc. will discuss breast cancer research careers
- Steven Artandi, Ph.D. of Stanford will discuss how cell death can contribute to the development of breast cancer
- Peggy Reynolds, Ph.D. of the Northern California Cancer Center will discuss the connection between the environment and breast cancer
- Marilie Gammon, Ph.D. of University of North Carolina will discuss the modifiable risk factors of breast cancer
- Christopher Benz, M.D. of the Buck Research Institute will discuss the development of new breast cancer treatments
Workshops will ask topical questions in areas of research that have the potential to establish and expand research directions. Our workshop leaders are recruiting speakers, and more detailed information about their sessions is available on our website. Workshops discussing special issues for young women with breast cancer, the biology behind hormone replacement therapy, and the theory and practice of conducting community-based participatory research have been updated.
Our symposium consistently proves to be an energizing event and this year should be no exception. All who attend should leave with ideas for how to make a contribution in the fight against breast cancer at the individual, research, or community level.
The full symposium program is available on our website (www.CABreastCancer.org/symposium/program/). Check back often for program updates. Don’t forget to register for the symposium online or via fax, and make your travel plans!
