Breast Cancer Research Team Launches New Website Aimed at Community Education

(LONDON, Ontario)??" More than 20,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in Canada each year. A tremendous amount of fundraising effort and dollars go towards research dedicated to understanding and treating this disease. However, the public does not always have the opportunity to learn about this research, understand the process, and follow the progress that is being made.

Led by distinguished oncology scientist Dr. Ann Chambers of the London Regional Cancer Program (LRCP), London health Sciences Centre (LHSC), a multi-disciplinary team of London scientists intend to do just that by launching a new website dedicated to educating the public about their research on breast cancer metastasis, or spread, in the lymph nodes.

“The Metastasis Project” website ( www.themetastasisproject.ca ) will be launched on Thursday, November 30, 2006 at a public presentation of the team’s research from 6:30-8:00 pm at the Westmount branch of the London Public Library at 3200 Wonderland Road South.

In July 2005, the London team was one of only two research teams in Canada to be awarded a $2.1M grant in a special competition of the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance to study breast cancer metastasis. The team has embarked on an ambitious five-year study using new technologies and innovative approaches to develop pre-clinical models of metastasis. In addition to Dr. Chambers, the research team includes Dr. Ian MacDonald (Schulich), Dr. Alison Allan (LRCP), and Dr. Alan Tuck (LHSC), as well as co-investigators Dr. Alan Groom (Schulich), Dr. Sharon Vantyghem (LRCP), Dr. David Rodenhiser (LRCP), and Mr. Mike Keeney (LHSC). The research team also includes Lay Member, Dr. Catherine Ebbs, a breast cancer survivor.

The inclusion of a breast cancer survivor on the team is a unique and unprecedented aspect of the study. Dr. Ebbs’ role is focused on pioneering and developing a reciprocal inquiry and learning model among the researchers, breast cancer survivors, and the lay community in general. Education and communication are central to the role, and the Metastasis Project website is intended to help provide this.

Highlights of the website will include information about the scientific goals and progress of the research, interviews and profiles of the scientists, and information about presentations and publications generated by the group. The breast cancer community will be represented on the website as they engage in inquiry and learning with the researchers.

Please join us for this exciting website launch. As space is limited, please RSVP to phegal@uwo.ca

London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is one of Canada’s largest acute-care teaching hospitals and is dedicated to excellence in patient care, teaching and research. LHSC has pioneered many national and international medical breakthroughs. Located in London, Ontario, LHSC encompasses three sites, South Street Hospital, University Hospital and Victoria Hospital; two family medical centres; and the London Regional Cancer Program. LHSC is the home of the Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario and CSTAR (Canadian Surgical Technologies & Advanced Robotics). The research arm of LHSC is Lawson Health Research Institute, which is partnered with London’s other teaching hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Care, London. LHSC is affiliated with The University of Western Ontario. Physicians and staff at LHSC number close to 8,000 and together they provide care for more than 600,000 patients each year.


For more information contact:
Sarah Corrigan, Communications Associate
Corporate Communications and Public Relations
London Health Sciences Centre
(519) 685-8500, ext. 77129
sarah.corrigan@lhsc.on.ca