|
|
|
|
|
Home > News
|
| Thursday, September 08, 2011
|
|
Contact: Debra Thompson
Director, RMH Corporate Communications
540-564-5886
 RMH Women’s Services Director Teresa Boshart Yoder was one of more than 275 consumer advocates who attended the sixth Era of Hope meeting Aug. 2-5 in Orlando, Fla.
Era of Hope is sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP). It is a unique forum for scientists, clinicians, breast cancer survivors (called consumer advocates within the BCRP), and the public to gather and discuss the latest findings in breast cancer research and future directions in treatment and prevention to eradicate breast cancer. More than 1,450 people attended the August meeting.
Yoder was invited to attend because of her summer 2008 participation as a consumer reviewer of research applications submitted to the DoD BCRP. Yoder was among 116 consumer advocates who, along with prominent research scientists, served as full voting members at those meetings to determine how the remainder of Congress’ Fiscal Year 2008 appropriation of $138 million would be spent on future breast cancer research.
The 2011 Era of Hope meeting featured nearly 1,200 abstracts focusing on BCRP breakthroughs in the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer. The most current topics in breast cancer research were discussed, including disease risk and recurrence, metastasis, stem cells, novel therapies, improved imaging, vaccines and health disparities.
Examples of the research reported at the meeting included:
- Thermally targeted delivery of peptide therapeutics
- Therapeutic eradication of DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) progenitor cells
- Discovery of new genetic markers for patients at high risk for bone metastasis
- Genetic susceptibility for breast cancer in women of African Ancestry
- Dietary consumption during pregnancy and breast cancer risk reductions
- Development of vaccines to prevent recurrence
“It was an amazing experience to be with more than 1,000 researchers and hear the latest discoveries in breast cancer research,” Yoder said. “Attending this meeting enables me to bring the best and most up-to-date information and care to women here in our community.”
Since its inception in 1992, the DoD BCRP has become the second largest source of breast cancer research funding in the United States and has received more than $2.68 billion in congressional appropriations, resulting in more than 10,000 unique awards that fulfill unmet needs in breast cancer research. Unlike other cancer research funding organizations, the BCRP is a pioneer in the inclusion of consumer advocates in every aspect of the research process. Since the program’s inception, more than 750 survivors have participated in the program, including setting the program’s vision, participating in the review of proposals, making funding recommendations, and aiding in the research process.
“Through this approach of combined involvement, the BCRP enhances partnerships between the survivor community and scientists,” said Gail Whitehead, DoD BCRP Public Affairs liaison. “The survivor’s unique perspective brings a sense of urgency to the program, ensuring the BCRP remains focused on its ultimate goal of eradicating breast cancer.”
To learn more about the DoD BCRP, visit http://cdmrp.army.mil.
|
|
|
|
Virtual Tour
Planning a visit to RMH? Take a tour of our campus before you come.
Talk to Us
RMH appreciates your feedback.
Sign up for updates and news from RMH!
Enter your email address below to receive health and news updates from RMHOnline.com!
|