Thanks to innovative therapies, Linda is living life to the fullest By ShawnMacInnes on Jul 29, 2019 In March 2003, Linda West had just returned from holiday in Thailand when she felt a lump in her right breast. A week later, her doctor delivered the news: it was cancer. Linda's life immediately changed as the BC Cancer - Victoria team quickly developed... Continue Reading BC Cancer - Victoria, Breast Cancer
The future of breast cancer care in British Columbia By Vincent on Oct 27, 2017 As I touched on last week, the importance of the BC Cancer Foundation and its donors cannot be overstated when it comes to fuelling new and more effective treatments for breast cancer. In large part because of this, I expect to see a significant shift in the way we diagnose, treat and manage patients facing this disease in British Columbia. Over the next ten years, I hope to see us... Continue Reading BC Cancer Research Centre, Breast Cancer
Clinical trials paving new path for breast cancer care in BC By Vincent on Oct 19, 2017 One of the most exciting areas of breast cancer research is the study of genomics. Genomics is about understanding the genetic makeup of different cancers, in turn enabling us to develop targeted treatments for them. Through this kind of research, we can dive deep in terms of what is driving a patient’s cancer, how it will behave and how it might respond to certain treatments. Genomic... Continue Reading Breast Cancer, Genomics
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: A time to recognize research and care By Vincent on Oct 13, 2017 Hello, my name is Dr. Stephen Chia and I am a medical oncologist here at BC Cancer, as well as the chair of the Provincial Breast Tumour Group. I’m excited to return to the blog this month for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s an important time of year to not only bring attention to the prevalence of breast cancer, but also to recognize the number of advancements that have been made to treat... Continue Reading Breast Cancer
My Path to a Career in Cancer Research (Part III) By Laura Matwichuk on Mar 13, 2017 The sequencers at the GSC were rapidly gaining improvements in read length and throughput. I spent my time working with the more interesting (and complex) types of data that could be generated, beginning with “transcriptomes” and then “exomes”. Despite knowing I wanted to do a PhD, I had not yet been convinced of a project that I would want to spend the next three to five years on and... Continue Reading BC Cancer Research Centre, Breast Cancer, Genome Sciences Centre, Genomics, Lymphoid cancers, Personalized Onco-Genomics (POG)
Love what you do and it doesn't feel like work By Ken Donohue on Nov 03, 2016 My name is Intan Schrader and I am co-medical director of the Hereditary Cancer Program with Sophie Sun. I am a medical geneticist, specializing in cancer genetics. It was during medical school that I took a serious interest in cancer genetics. After receiving my medical degree from the University of Melbourne, I completed my residency in Medical Genetics at the University of... Continue Reading BC Cancer - Vancouver, Breast Cancer, Genomics, Hereditary Cancer
First "clinical trial" in Grade 6 for this doctor By Ken Donohue on Nov 02, 2016 I am a medical oncologist and co-medical director of the Hereditary Cancer Program, with Intan Schrader. I grew up in Toronto, and first became interested in science in grade six. For my science project that year, I bought samples of acne cream and asked some older (pimply) kids to use and rate the effectiveness of the creams. In retrospect, this was my first randomized phase 2... Continue Reading BC Cancer - Vancouver, Breast Cancer, Clinical Trials, Hereditary Cancer
Conquering cancer on two wheels By Ken Donohue on Jul 20, 2016 In my previous post I mentioned the BC Cancer Agency’s OVCARE team and the great work they’ve done to position themselves as one of the world’s leading ovarian cancer research teams. They’re not only conquering cancer in the lab, but they’re also doing it on two wheels. With its many supporters, OVCARE has participated every year in The Ride to Conquer Cancer, and is one of the top... Continue Reading Breast Cancer, Childhood Cancer Research Program, Immunotherapy, Lymphoid cancers, Ovarian Cancer, OvCaRe, Personalized Onco-Genomics (POG), Ride to Conquer Cancer
Planting seeds for future researchers By Ken Donohue on Jun 22, 2016 Last week I introduced some exciting, innovative work we are doing at the BC Cancer Agency – Southern Interior on permanent breast seed implant treatments for breast cancer. Today, I’d like to talk a bit about the vital importance of young physics trainees in pushing forward new treatments. Engaging bright, young physics trainees is, for me, one of the true joys of my work. I do this... Continue Reading BC Cancer - Kelowna, Brachytherapy, Breast Cancer, Medical Physics
Contributing to Innovation in Health Care – Part 2 By Ken Donohue on Jun 15, 2016 Yesterday, I shared how an innovative treatment for breast cancer is being offered in Kelowna, which has the promise to be implemented more widely and benefit more women. Since the beginning of our Permanent Breast Seed Implants program, we have had exactly this goal in mind: to innovate and evolve the technique to enable widespread clinical implementation. We aim specifically to... Continue Reading BC Cancer - Kelowna, Brachytherapy, Breast Cancer