Breast Cancer

Every day, 6 Albertans are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Many will receive taxane chemotherapy, an effective drug that can improve cancer survival. But it only works half the time. Thousands of patients receive this type of treatment around the world, yet fewer than 50 per cent respond favourably. The other half of patients are taxane-resistant, but they won’t know it until the treatment is over, squandering precious time that could have been used to explore other treatments.

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Cathy Conroy is one of those Albertans hoping for a better way to predict who will benefit from certain therapies.

So far, no biomarkers have been clinically proven to predict sensitivity to chemotherapy. But Dr. Ing Swie Goping at the University of Alberta and Dr. John Mackey at the Cross Cancer Institute, are hoping to change that. Dr. Goping garnered attention in the world of cancer research when she discovered that a protein, called BAD for short, made cancer cells more sensitive to taxane chemotherapy. Her team believes that the higher the levels of BAD protein in the tumour, the better chance the patient has of responding favourably.

If she is right, it will mark the first predictive biomarker for taxane chemotherapy.

The Alberta Cancer Foundation has committed $1.3 million to this research program and we invite you to be part of this transformative opportunity.

Resources

Leap Magazine Articles

Dr. Lynne Postovit and her team are improving outcomes for women with breast and ovarian cancer

How The Provincial Breast Health Initiative Is Improving Care For Breast Cancer Patients

A Calgary-made blood test has the potential to become a key screening tool for breast cancer

Two mobile mammography units were purchased that can travel to around 120 communities in well-equipped trailers that serve as mobile clinics to screen as many women as possible.

Every day, 6 Albertans are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Cathy Conroy is one of those Albertans hoping for a better way to predict who will benefit from certain therapies.

Resources

Leap Magazine Articles

Dr. Lynne Postovit and her team are improving outcomes for women with breast and ovarian cancer

How The Provincial Breast Health Initiative Is Improving Care For Breast Cancer Patients

A Calgary-made blood test has the potential to become a key screening tool for breast cancer

Two mobile mammography units were purchased that can travel to around 120 communities in well-equipped trailers that serve as mobile clinics to screen as many women as possible.

University of Alberta professor’s research could change the way we treat breast cancer

Two cancer researchers give us a glimpse into the long process between small breakthroughs and big discoveries

Latest News

Breast cancer therapy effectiveness under microscope

Alberta Cancer Foundation Blog

Robin was only 41 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2019.

In early 2018, Rebecca Lippiatt was blindsided when she received the call from her doctor confirming that she had breast cancer.

See the Progress We’ve Made in the Areas of:

Earlier Detection

Quality of Life

Better Prevention

Improved Treatment