From Research to Action: Breaking New Ground
Claudia Grossman, Ph.D.,
SRI Program
Evaluator
On September 7-9 2007, the CBCRP hosted its 6th biennial symposium at the Westin Bonaventure hotel in downtown Los Angeles drawing nearly 600 researchers, healthcare providers, advocates, survivors and interested public from all over California and beyond. Entitled “From Research to Action: Breaking New Ground,” the meeting provided a forum for attendees from all backgrounds to interact, ask questions, and join forces in the common cause of beating breast cancer.
While continuing to cover the latest in the state of breast cancer research, prevention and treatment, this year the symposium highlighted racial and ethnic disparities in breast cancer and the role of the environment on breast cancer. Cutting edge research funded by the CBCRP was showcased throughout with the presentation of posters by CBCRP-funded researchers, as well as four sessions on specialized topics of breast cancer research including, among others, services for the underserved and exploring breast cancer risk.
Several special features of the symposium make it accessible to all interested persons, regardless of background. Breast Cancer 101, a course designed to help everyone understand the basics of breast cancer research, including terminology and interpretation of findings, helped get everyone on the same page. Additionally, back by popular demand, advocate guides were available to lead attendees through the poster sessions and bridge the language barrier between the scientists and the general public.
In an effort in facilitate interaction between experts, patients, survivors, and the general public, there was a “Meet the Experts” breakfast. Attendees were invited to have informal small group discussions with an expert panel including researchers, advocates, and policy makers. The session provided an opportunity for questions and exchanging of ideas outside the typical formal presentation format.
The CBCRP symposium is a great place for stakeholders to learn about the most up-to-date technologies and developments in breast cancer. Highlighted among these was the “New Directions in Breast Cancer Treatments” plenary session. During the session, Dr. Joe Gray, Dr. Thea Tlsty, Ms. Musa Mayer, and Dr. Marisa Weiss treated us to a discussion of the latest advancements in personalized therapy and recognizing early breast cancer. They also examined the challenges in developing this knowledge in clinical practice.
Additionally, workshops on complementary and alternative medicines as well as breast cancer risks allowed patients, advocates, and researchers to ask questions and discuss the latest information and innovations in these fields.
Addressing the unequal burdens carried by racial and ethnic minorities in breast cancer, Drs. Funmi Olopade and David Williams presented complementary perspectives of the contributions of genetics, cultural environment, and social context to breast cancer. They discussed the roles that genes, social environment, and the lifelong inequalities in healthcare play in the higher breast cancer mortality rates of women of African descent. Highlighted by the speakers and echoed by the symposium participants was the need for increased attention to and further research on these issues.
Dr. Sandra Steingraber, an expert on the impact of the environment on cancer and reproductive health, delivered the keynote address on the effects of estrogen-like chemicals found in the environment on women. Dr. Steingraber emphasized the importance of the work of activists in making possible the research that has been done in this area, and the continued need for activists, researchers and clinicians to work together in the fight for an environment that doesn’t cause breast cancer.
The CBCRP strives to serve the people of California as a transparent, responsive organization. In an effort to meet this goal, an interactive town hall-style session was led by Marj Plumb where participants were encouraged to ask questions and give suggestions pertaining to the CBCRP environmental and disparities funding initiative. Members of the SRI steering committee and CBCRP advisory council were on hand to listen to comments and suggestions about the future directions of CBCRP funding.
The CBCRP symposium provides a unique forum for people whose live are affected by breast cancer to teach each other, learn from each other, unite forces and minds and support one other. Attendees of all backgrounds are encouraged to mingle, share experiences and seize the opportunity to start partnerships and collaborations towards a common goal of ending breast cancer. The result of these efforts is an educated and empowered united front against the disease.
