METAvivor: A Driving Force in Research, Advocacy, & Hope
In this episode of Our MBC Life, we sit down with Dr. Kelly Shanahan, the president of METAvivor, a U.S. nonprofit solely dedicated to funding research for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) while also supporting patients through advocacy and community. Our guest shares METAvivor’s mission, their biggest milestones, and how their work is driving critical research that aims to extend lives and improve quality of life for those living with MBC.
We dive into how METAvivor prioritizes research funding, the importance of patient involvement in advocacy initiatives, and the Stage IV Stampede—a powerful advocacy event raising awareness and amplifying the voices of the MBC community.
Tune in to hear how METAvivor is shaping the future of MBC advocacy and how you can get involved to make an impact.
Trailblazers: Josh Newby & Theresa’s Research Foundation
Senior Producer & Host Martha Carlson interviews Josh Newby, the founder of Theresa’s Research Foundation. Josh has been a leader in the world of metastatic breast cancer advocacy for over a decade, focusing energy on bringing MBC research scientists and patient advocates together in an effort to improve our lives. To paraphrase Josh, researchers need patients and patients need researchers—a synergy he recognized early and brought to the fore of advocacy. This year, Josh and Theresa’s Research Foundation is doubling down on a cure for MBC. In this episode, he talks about the work the Foundation is doing and what “cure” means to him. He also talks about the effects of current federal policy on research and what it may mean for the young MBC investigators he champions.
The Project to End Post Partum Breast Cancer
Many people are unfamiliar with Postpartum Breast Cancer (PPBC), a little-known subset of breast cancer that occurs in women within 10 years of childbirth. This episode of our podcast delves into this personal topic for several members of our team.
Drs. Virginia Borges and Pepper Schedin are launching the first-ever clinical trial to prevent PPBC. Their groundbreaking approach involves giving healthy new mothers a brief course of ibuprofen as they wean their babies from breastfeeding. This trial holds huge potential for global impact, and the doctors need the public’s help to make it happen.
MBC 101: Tumor Microenvironment with Dr. Amy Beumer
Have you ever wondered how our cancer metastasizes? Why is it that some treatments just don’t work? Can we as patients living with MBC alter cellular level activity? In this episode, you will hear the answers to these questions and more. Join us as we take a step back to the basics of tumor microenvironment with our guest, Dr. Amy Beumer, who will break down the science into smaller, digestible bites. In this lively discussion, Dr. Amy explains the how and the why of this tough topic. You will hear her say “This is fun” and use engaging, relatable metaphors like “Picture your neighborhood and that one neighbor…..” By the end, I assure you that you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of tumor microenvironment than when you started.
Pull up a chair, listen in your car, or on your daily walk, we are with you wherever you listen to your podcasts. Terms and other resources are provided in the episode notes.
Biosimilars and Their Use in Cancer Treatment
On today's episode, we are thrilled to discuss an important and often misunderstood area of oncology- biosimilars and their increasing use in cancer care. You might be curious, what exactly are biosimilars? How are they developed and approved? And most importantly, how are they transforming the lives of patients diagnosed with cancer? We will break down these questions and more as we explore this with an overview from Dr. Julie Gralow, a breast medical oncologist and chief medical officer at the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Tumor-Agnostic Therapies: Is The TAPUR Study Right For You?
For our Season 9 opening episode, we're learning about agnostic treatments in cancer with Dr. Richard Schilsky of ASCO, who discusses the TAPUR Study. You may wonder, what is TAPUR and how does it relate to agnostic treatments? The pioneer behind the study, Dr. Schilsky, explains clinical trials for agnostic therapeutics, how you can join a TAPUR trial, and what to expect.
Tumor-Agnostic Therapies: Is This a Paradigm Shift in Cancer Care?
Do tumor-agnostic therapies represent a radical shift in oncology? Join us on this 1st part of a 2-part series as Dr. Joshua Drago of MSKCC answers this question and points out the advantages as well as the treatment limitations of agnostic therapeutics.
Report Back From ASCO 2024: What’s the Latest in HR+ MBC?
We are thrilled to present an audio version of SHARE Cancer Support’s webinar “Report Back from ASCO 2024: Latest Updates on HR+ Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC)”.
This episode is an in-depth report from the ASCO 2024 Annual Meeting, featuring the latest advancements and research in HR+ MBC. Hear from Dr. Kevin Kalinsky as we dive into the findings from the DESTINY-Breast06 and postMONARCH trials, exploring their implications and potential impact on treatment strategies.
Tissue Donation - You can help advance MBC research
Today we talk with breast cancer researcher Dr. Steffi Oesterreich, clinical coordinator Lori Miller, and MBC advocates Stephanie Walker and Christine Hodgdon to learn more about tissue donation programs and how they can help accelerate scientific research. Tissue donation programs ask patients to consider donating their tissues, including organs, soon after we die to help researchers better understand how breast cancer continues to spread and how to slow it down or stop it altogether. Donating our tissue is one way we can help thousands of other women and men with MBC to live longer with higher quality of life.
GRASP: Guiding Researchers and Advocates to Scientific Partnerships
Co-host Natalia Green finds out how Christine Hodgdon and Julia Maués, co-founders of GRASP (Guiding Researchers and Advocates to Scientific Partnerships) saw an opportunity last year to bridge the gap between researchers and MBC advocates in the pursuit of better research connections.
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Dr. Dorraya El-Ashry, the Chief Scientific Officer for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) joins host Lisa Laudico to talk about the many exciting MBC research initiatives that BCRF is undertaking. Dr. El-Ashry provides an excellent overview of the bright spots and the challenges in MBC research. She has a personal connection to MBC and discusses her own research.