impact the lives of breast cancer patients by developing treatment plans that are tailored to the individual,” says BCC’s Carson. “Patient treatment is no longer one size fits all. This research funded by BCC focuses on making the treatment of breast cancer very personalized.” It’s clear that BCC’s research funding is directly leading to better patient outcomes. October is breast cancer awareness month, the perfect time for BCC to launch their Raise More Challenge. It’s a self-directed initiative which rallies supporters to fundraise for BCC’s breast cancer research in any way they want - host an event or rally your employees. BCC is asking for donations to be made before the end of the year to fund their next round of research projects in 2023. “If you think your donations won’t make a difference, we have the science to show it does,” says Carson. “The more dollars raised, the more research that gets in market to make a difference. It’s that simple.” Please visit breastcancerprogress.ca to join the Raise More Challenge or to make a donation to BCC.
Leading the way in Atlantic Canada is Dr. Paola Marignani, a medical professor at Dalhousie University. To further her research in precision oncology, Dr Marignani has just received
“THE MORE WE KNOW ABOUT BREAST CANCER, THE SOONER WE CAN END IT.” –Kimberly Carson, CEO, Breast Cancer Canada
$250,000 from BCC. Dr. Marignani is working on a three-year study into the recurrence of HER2-positive breast cancer. Her goal is to develop more precise and targeted therapies. About one-third of all breast cancers are HER2+. HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Drugs that target HER2 have been successful. Yet this type of cancer returns at an alarming rate after treatment has been completed. Every tumour is composed of thousands and thousands of individual tumour cells. Marignani and her team at the Dalhousie lab will apply a new technology called single-cell RNA (ribonucleic acid, a nucleic acid present in all living cells) sequencing to find previously unidentified proteins that are driving the recurrence of HER2- positive breast cancer. How important is this in Atlantic Canada? Dr. Marignani shares data proving, unfortunately, that the Maritime region has an even higher rate of breast cancer than the national average. Modeling shows that nearly 800 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the Maritimes this year; 180 deaths are expected. According to Dr. Marignani, New Brunswick has already seen 610 cases of breast cancer this year.
“Behind every survivor is a researcher on a mission” - Dr. Paola Marignani
Every day, seventy-six women in Canada hear the words, “you have breast cancer.” One in eight Canadian women will be diagnosed in their lifetime. It’s now the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, accounting for one in four of all cancers in women. Breast cancer incidence has increased by over 20 per cent, just since 2008. These are distressing milestones. To address it head on, smarter, more acute research is increasingly being initiated and supported. “Research saves lives – ask any breast cancer survivor,” says Kimberly Carson, CEO of Breast Cancer Canada (BCC). “There are over 50 types of breast cancer, and we’re working on a cure for all of them.”
“Dr. Marignani’s research will directly
www.breastcancerprogress.ca
FALL 2022/WINTER 2023 www.pei-living.ca
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