Sammons To Speak On Metastatic Breast Cancer

Sarah LeNoir Sammons, MDSusan G. Komen® North Carolina Triangle to the Coast will host its fourth annual Young Researchers Roundtable Breakfast: Hearing the Metastatic Voice, bringing attention and urgency to metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treatment, support, and needed research.

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC), also called stage IV or advanced breast cancer, is breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other organs in the body (most often the bones, lungs, liver or brain.) MBC is not a type of breast cancer, but rather the most advanced stage of all types of breast cancer. It causes the majority of the 40,000 expected breast cancer deaths each year in the U.S. Both women and men can be diagnosed with MBC. In the U.S., it’s estimated at least 154,000 people are currently living with MBC.

“Finding the cures to breast cancer must include open dialogue between researchers, medical professionals, survivors and individuals living with metastatic breast cancer,” said Pam Kohl, executive director at Komen North Carolina Triangle to Coast. “With Komen’s Bold Goal to reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026, we depend on the hard work and dedication of our Komen scholars and researchers to help us reach that goal.”

This year's program will consist of panelist presentations by individuals vested in MBC research and treatment and include: Carey K. Anders, MD, associate professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and co-leader of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Breast Program; Sarah LeNoir Sammons, MD, medical oncologist at Duke University Medical Center/ Duke Cancer Institute specializing in the care of patients with breast cancer; and Rhonda Howell, patient advocate who is living with metastatic breast cancer at age 36 and Board of Directors member at METAvivor Research and Support.

The roundtable event is unique opportunity connecting early-career breast cancer researchers with established local Komen Scholars, physicians, scientists, individuals living with MBC, breast cancer survivors, and co-survivors in a meaningful way. The breakfast will be held on Monday, Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon, at The Carolina Inn at 211 Pittsboro Street in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

In addition to the panel program, young researchers will provide brief overviews of their breast cancer research projects. Following the researcher overviews, there will be table discussions about breast cancer research and treatment and its impact on patient care with a focus on the care of those living with MBC.

The breakfast is the first event in Komen NCTC’s Finding Solutions Research Series highlighting the important work taking place in laboratories locally and nationally toward finding the cures to breast cancer. Comprised of three events, Komen’s series brings together a passionate audience of researchers, advocates, and those impacted by breast cancer.

For more information, visit Komen NCTC’s Finding Solutions Research Series.