6th Symposium on the Intraductal Approach to Breast Cancer
Creators: name: University Of California Office Of The President
Publisher: name: University of California Office of the President
publisherIdentifier: https://ror.org/00dmfq477
publisherIdentifierScheme: ROR
Year: 2024

description: TOPIC OF CONFERENCE The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation is dedicated to the eradication of breast cancer and to improve women’s health through innovative research, education and advocacy. One of the Foundations most unique endeavors is to sponsor a biennial international symposium on the intraductal approach. Intraductal literally means inside the milk ducts of the breast where breast cancer starts and research in this field is exploring the ability to access the lining of the milk ducts, finding the cells and other fluid biomarkers in the ducts and using this new knowledge to prevent and treat early stage breast cancer. RELEVANCE TO BREAST CANCER This symposium on the intraductal approach to breast cancer is the only venue devoted solely to this area of study. The field of intraductal research is growing exponentially as the anatomy and physiology of the breast are becoming better understood and more efforts are being spent on identifying early stages and risk factors and understanding how to effect changes in the breast without creating side effects to the entire body. Newer techniques of getting into the milk ducts and imaging them with cameras, ultrasound and MRI will be discussed at this meeting. AIMS OF THE CONFERENCE PROGRAM The goal of the 2009 Symposium is to facilitate collaboration among researchers, provide history and context to new researchers, distribute grant money to those wanting to explore this approach and to inform the advocacy and volunteer community about these new approaches. Specific aims are: 1. To gather researchers together to describe their experiences, share their knowledge and to stimulate ideas related to the intraductal approach. This includes different disciplines from molecular scientists to breast surgeons to genetic researchers to community providers. 2. To provide training to individuals in the newest techniques related to the intraductal approach. This will be provided in small group interactive workshops with live volunteers. 3. To provide pilot grant money to jumpstart research using the intraductal approach. Approximately $100,000 of Foundation monies will be distributed in $5-20,000 amounts to applicants submitting projects looking into the intraductal approach. 4. To educate the research community about the Love/Avon Army of Women with a separate session run by our Army of Women staff and our advocate and volunteer ambassadors. BACKGROUND INFORMATION 2009 will be the 6th Symposium on the Intraductal Approach to Breast Cancer. The first was held in 1999 with 30 attendees in Santa Barbara. In 2007 the conference was moved to Santa Monica to accommodate the local Los Angeles community and attendance grew to 150. Building on the feedback from the past symposiums and the growing interest in this field we expect even a larger turnout in 2009. INVOLVEMENT OF ADVOCATES As with past symposiums, we intend to recruit from lay groups and offer discounted registration fees for advocates as well as provide scholarships. Advocates from CABCO and the NBCC have served on our program committees and also on the peer review committee for poster and pilot grant submissions. In 2007 several of our research volunteers served as models for demonstrating ductal lavage, ultrasound and ductoscopy. We plan to repeat these workshops as well as one on how to utilize the Love/Avon Army of Women with staff and advocate/volunteer ambassadors. POTENTIAL OUTCOMES AND FOLLOW-UP Results from prior pilot grants are presented at each symposium. Many grants have resulted in larger grants and further investigation. Feedback from each attendee is taken seriously and modifications made as necessary. Over 90% of participants return for subsequent meetings. Intraductal strategies are now included in other major surgical and oncology meetings. As in the past, meeting proceedings will be available on line. The potential for this type of research to vault us to a new level of success in preventing and treating early stage breast cancer is very real.