Allegheny Health Network’s Post

This paper is fantastic! Having 2000 women inform us as to what they would have wanted to know before undergoing their mastectomy is such important information. Summarising: they wanted more information about recon options, risks, recovery and ‘going flat.’ As well as the psychological impact of recon. They also wanted realistic information about outcomes to reduce discrepancies between expectations and experiences. And finally recognising peer insights and photos were important sources of realistic information. We know how important these issues are. Being realistic about treatment options, outcomes and expectations may sound easy but every person is so unique and has such different goals. It is critical to take the time to make informed choices about breast reconstruction and looking at photographs of results of women who have similar body type as you (and similar goals) is really key. The internet does not give you this unfortunately. Also having the opportunities to talk to other women at a similar stage of life (work, kids etc) about the path that lies ahead is also very reassuring. The 2021 survey from BCNA keeps delivering value for Australian women. Congrats to BCNA and the authors of this paper.

BCNA’s 2021 survey found there are multiple gaps in breast reconstruction information and this information needs to be comprehensive, realistic and provided at the right time for informed decision making.    Data from the survey was analysed by Kim Wuyts as part of her post-graduate studies, supervised by Professor Vicki White at Deakin University.     This analysis informed the article: Information needs in breast reconstruction after mastectomy: a qualitative analysis of free-text response from 2077 women, published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment in February 2024.    Vicki Durston and Sam Mills from BCNA’s Policy and Advocacy team were co-authors.    “Developing strategies to strengthen existing information provision as well as new resources to fill information gaps might enhance breast reconstruction.”    Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gVwG26pg  #BCNAPinkLady #PolicyAdvocacy

This week's WISDOM recommended read is by UCSF, discussing the importance of improving prediction for advanced breast cancer among women of different races and ethnicities. Read it here: https://ow.ly/Aar450QpMFC

During #BlackHistoryMonth, we ask what is being done to eliminate the disparities faced by Black women and men diagnosed with breast cancer? Play for P.I.N.K. is proud to fund the research of three amazing doctors whose research is focused on studying these disparities and how to end them. Click the link in our bio to learn more about the research of Drs. Ambrosone, Dr. Hong and Dr. Fayanju.

In 25 years, this is probably one of my proudest moments- a labor of love, cliche as that sounds, developed over the last 18 months and finally launching this week. We are so happy to introduce 'Rising Scholars: Breast Cancer, a professional development and career preparedness program for early career researchers, in partnership between The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Nature Portfolio. 'Thank you' doesn't quite cut it- but thank you, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Margaret Flowers, PhD for being the most extraordinary partner to us over the last decade- from launching a Nature Portfolio journal with us- npj Breast Cancer- to recognizing the importance of our research data solutions in their earliest days- to ensuring and amplifying the voices of 25 global early career researchers working in cancer research, equipping them with the tools and resources needed to go further in their career. Thank you to all of my colleagues who have given their time, their voices, their invaluable teachings about community and equity. I'm not great at delegating, I never have been, but you've all stepped up and in, in so many ways. And to our Rising Scholars: Breast Cancer Cohort members: we see you, your value, your skills, your drive and passion. We are grateful to be on this road with you and we will continue to cheer you on, alongside you and from afar! If you'd like to talk to us about building a Cohort of ECRs in a given field, having them work alongside our Nature Portfolio Editors, investing in their future, encouraging a more diverse and equitable editorial pipeline, while we track and measure success, get in touch with me! If our 'welcome kickoff' yesterday was any indication of what's to come from the launch of programs like this one, we are in for one incredible ride! #risingscholars #breastcancer #earlycareerresearchers #postdocs #hbcus #MSIs #professionaldevelopment #tenuretrack #mentoring #natureawards #HSIs #earlycareerresearch #equity #DEI #SNBEN

Tune into this AJMC - The American Journal of Managed Care interview as Margaret Liang, MD, MSHPM, gynecologic oncologist, health services researcher, and director, Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Oncology Fellowship Program, Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center, discusses financial toxicity in #cancercare and how institutions can help alleviate the financial burden for patients. Watch here:

Because of generous #donors like you, more #research can be funded. Read our latest edition of our Research Roundup blog, which focuses on a new treatment target for neuroblastoma, improving CAR T-cell effectiveness, using ultrasound to reach brain tumors, and preventing heart failure in childhood cancer survivors: https://ow.ly/4Pxb50RC2oy

In honor of #BrainTumorAwarenessMonth, we’re excited to highlight Dr. Macarena de la Fuente, GBM AGILE investigator, ADI-PEG 20 arm Co-PI, and chief of neuro-oncology at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.  In the first video of this series, Dr. de la Fuente discusses the impetus for GBM AGILE and how this trial offers a more strategic approach for the evaluation of new treatments for patients with #glioblastoma.

Come learn about melanoma and our research in general!

There is still time to register for a VIRTUAL session about #ColorectalCancerRisk hosted by the University of California, San Francisco Center for BRCA Research and UCSF Hereditary Cancer Clinic. The #HereditaryCancer workshop is happening TODAY, April 30, at 5.30 pm PT. Register here t.co/NdsrtNjWHA Our council member Aparajita Singh, MD, MPH, and member Amie Blanco are on the expert panel so take the opportunity of having experts in the field answer your question. #HereditaryGICancer #NationalCancerPreventionAndEarlyDetectionMonth