September Resource Roundup
Welcome to our monthly resource roundup! Each month, we curate study opportunities, new clinical trials, research results, news articles, personal perspectives, and upcoming events of interest to women and families affected by breast, ovarian, or metastatic breast cancer. Below are some links you might find useful.
Breast, Ovarian, and Metastatic Breast Cancer:
Try a Pilates Class and Support SHARE!
CP Burn Pilates is offering donation-based Pilates classes to benefit SHARE throughout October! 100% of the cost of each of these classes will go to support SHARE. You do not need to be a Pilates expert or in perfect shape to enjoy these classes. They are welcoming and accommodating, and instructors are able to make any modifications you need even if you are in treatment. As long as you're feeling good, you can participate!
To register for a donation class, visit cpburn.com and click "Book/Buy" in the top right corner. Then, choose a class labeled "SHARE Donation Class." Each donation class is $25.
Immunotherapy Patient Summit in Houston, TX
On Saturday, October 26, the Cancer Research Institute's free immunotherapy summit will be held in Houston, TX. The half-day event will provide a space for patients, caregivers, and advocates to meet with science and healthcare experts to learn more about how new breakthroughs in immunotherapy are changing standards of care for all cancers. Join SHARE and other organizations by registering for the event here.
Ovarian Cancer
#BeBRCAware: The Importance of Genetic Testing
We are partnering with AstraZeneca to raise awareness of genetic testing in ovarian cancer. Genetic testing is important for all women with a history of ovarian cancer. Having a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes can raise your risk of ovarian cancer. Knowing your risk level can empower you to take actions that may reduce your risk. Knowing your BRCA status can also change your treatment options, like offering targeted therapies, should you ever be diagnosed. Learn how to find a genetic counselor, get answers to insurance FAQS, and more at bebrcaware.org
Frontline Zejula Maintenance Therapy Improves Survival in Advanced Ovarian Cancer
By: Kristie L. Kahl and Silas Inman
Frontline maintenance therapy with Zejula (niraparib) lengthened time without disease progression among women with newly diagnosed, advanced ovarian cancer who responded to platinum-based chemotherapy, according to findings from a study presented at the (European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2019. According to study author Dr. Antonio Gonzalez-Martin, "Niraparib is the first PARP inhibitor to demonstrate benefit in patients across biomarker subgroups after platinum-based chemotherapy in frontline..." To read more about this advancement in Cure Magazine, click the link here.
Breast Cancer
Positive Abemaciclib Data Emerges for Chinese Women with HR+ Breast Cancer
In a study conducted on predominantly on Chinese women, those with advanced hormone receptor–positive/HER2-negative (HR+/HER-) breast cancer obtained significant benefits when treated with abemaciclib (Verzenio). “Abemaciclib plus a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor showed ... clinically meaningful improvement in ... predominately Chinese patients with HR-positive/HER2-negative advanced breast cancer,” said Zefei Jiang, MD, of the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital in Beijing. Click the link here for more on this update.
Scalp cooling, the method of applying cool temperatures to the scalp while enduring chemotherapy treatment, with the DigniCap system was proven to effectively mitigate hair loss, according to the results of a prospective trial presented at ESMO Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. It should be noted that scalp cooling can be less effective for African American women with natural hair. To read more on scalp cooling and this study's findings, click here.
Metastatic Breast Cancer
This event is in-person at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; it is for folks who plan to attend this conference. Join the Tigerlily Foundation for a dialogue engaging the African-American community, centered on understanding the gaps, misperceptions and barriers to educate young women of color on metastatic breast cancer (MBC). They invite young women, patients, caregivers, community leaders, grassroots health organizations, creators, healthcare providers, advocates, scientists, researchers, industry and policymakers to join in partnership for a day of conversation, bringing together African American young women from communities facing disparities, at the largest global gathering focused on breast cancer.
Have a resource you’d like to share in the next month’s roundup? Email info@sharecancersupport.org
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