Research Looks to Reduce Breast Cancer Surgeries

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation makes critical new investments in research across Ontario

TORONTO, Aug. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - This year, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) awarded $9.9 million in grants supporting breast cancer research projects and fellowships across the province including a grant to Dr.Toni Zhong to study the effectiveness of a new biological material that allows breast cancer patients to have reconstruction in one, rather than two separate surgeries.

Research has shown that having breast reconstruction surgery can help to restore a woman's sense of femininity and improve her body image, but currently just over 20 per cent of women have the surgery.¹ Dr. Zhong, of the University Health Network in Toronto, believes that the results of her research could shift current practices and produce a new standard of care. This breakthrough would also mean less pressure is put on our health care system by reducing wait times and bringing down costs.

"For a long time we have measured surgical success by objective measures like complication rates, which is important," said Dr. Zhong, surgical oncologist, plastic reconstruction surgeon and CBCF-funded researcher.  "But we are moving into an era of measuring patient satisfaction and quality of life and as surgeons we need to take patient perspectives into account as well."

This is the second CBCF-funded research project Dr. Zhong has led and is one of 43 research projects and fellowships CBCF has invested in this year across Ontario. This project is the first multi-centred randomized study of this new breast reconstruction material (acellular dermal matrix). Dr. Zhong will be working in partnership with ten surgeons from five centres in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta in hopes that the finding will impact patient care nationally.

"Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian women over the age of twenty.  The good news is that more women are living longer and with a better quality of life," said Sandra Palmaro, CEO, CBCF-Ontario. "But with one in nine women being diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, there is still so much more for us to learn and it is critical that we continue to invest in innovative and relevant research each and every year."

CBCF is the largest non-governmental funder of breast cancer research in Canada and one of the largest in the world. Its investments in research and fellowships are changing the landscape of what is known and understood about breast cancer and have enabled advancements in prevention, earlier detection, breast cancer treatment and patient care. CBCF's broad network of donors and supporters has made possible the investment of over 600 grants across Ontario since 1986.

The pre-call notification for the Fall 2012 Call for Proposals will be announced on August 10, 2012. The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, which raises over 70 per cent of the funds invested in relevant and innovative research, advocacy and education work, will take place on September 30, 2012.

Click here to review a complete list of 2012 newly awarded grantees.
Click here to learn more about this year's pre-call for grant proposals.
Click here to find out how to get involved with the CIBC Run for the Cure.

About the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
Founded in 1986, a small but determined group of women and men decided to put a stake in the ground and establish the first volunteer-led grassroots organization in Canada devoted exclusively to breast cancer research, health promotion and advocacy.  Our mission is to create a future without breast cancer through reducing the number of people diagnosed, reducing mortality from breast cancer, and improving quality of life for those affected.  We direct donor dollars to world-class researchers and clinicians who are making groundbreaking progress in breast cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and care. Since 1986, the Foundation has awarded over $93 million in funding for nearly 600 grants, supporting research projects and fellowships. For more information, visit: www.cbcf.org/ontario.

¹ Data taken from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences and from the Ontario Cancer Registry

SOURCE: Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (Ontario Chapter)

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CBCF-ONTARIO, 2012 NEWLY AWARDED GRANTS OR TO SET UP AN INTERVIEW:

Jessica Dell'Aquila, Fleishman-Hillard Canada Inc., Direct: 416-645-3641 Mobile: [phone]
Email: [email protected]