OVER 3,000 WILL LOSE
THEIR LIFE THIS YEAR
AUSTRALIAN WOMEN
DIE EVERY DAY
AUSTRALIAN WOMEN ARE
DIAGNOSED EVERY DAY
Metastatic (secondary) breast cancer is the leading cause of breast cancer deaths. As we strive towards zero deaths from breast cancer, it’s our biggest research problem to solve.
By raising funds and hosting a Pink Ribbon Breakfast this October, you’re taking a stand against secondary breast cancer. You’re helping fund world-class research to find lasting solutions and ultimately - save lives.
Your support will fund urgent research into…
PREVENTION
More research is needed to understand why, how and when breast cancer spreads. The more we understand, the more chances we have of preventing it.
DETECTION
More research is needed to develop effective tools to predict, detect and monitor the spread of cancer. The sooner we can detect it, the better we can treat it.
TARGETED TREATMENTS
More research is needed for personalised treatments for metastatic breast cancer. The more targeted the treatment strategy, the better the outcome.
EVERY DOLLAR MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Could support researchers in the development of a new combination therapy that is more potent against metastatic breast cancer, while reducing harmful side-effects and heart damage.
Could support researchers to develop world-class diagnostic and imaging tools, to see exactly where breast cancer has spread, as early as possible.
Could support researchers to develop a simple, non-invasive blood test to predict, detect and monitor the return and spread of breast cancer. This could lift the cloud of fear that so many breast cancer survivors live under.
“Because without the fundraising and the money, we can’t find a cure, so we can’t change anything.”– Lisa, Diagnosed 2013, Pink Ribbon Breakfast Host |
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“When you find that lump, it’s like you’re on a plane somewhere then suddenly you have been diverted. You can have a sense of everything being on hold for a bit. The journey interrupted.”– Pauline, Diagnosed 2008 |
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When Suzanne’s sister Margo was diagnosed with breast cancer, she started organising Pink Ribbon Breakfasts with her 4 sisters.“It’s not about image – we all have one goal in mind and that’s to raise much needed funds for NCBF. That’s our goal, Margo is desperate for a cure for breast cancer, as we all are so that’s our common goal.”– Suzanne, Pink Ribbon Breakfast Host |
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EVERY DOLLAR MAKES A DIFFERENCE
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SARAH-JANE DAWSON Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Project: A blood test to detect cancer relapse.
NBCF-funded researcher Associate Professor Sarah-Jane Dawson is using a highly sensitive genetic technique to detect and analyse cancer DNA which has escaped from cancer cells and is floating in the bloodstream. This is known as “circulating tumour DNA” and is collected and analysed via a small sample of blood. This simple new blood test has the potential to identify which patients are most at risk of their cancer returning and detect relapse months before it is clinically evident – giving those affected the best chance of survival.
DR SUZANNE CUTTS La Trobe University Project: Improving treatment and limiting side effects for metastatic breast cancer.
NBCF-funded researcher Dr Suzanne Cutts has identified a treatment which changes how the commonly used anti-cancer drug Doxorubicin works. She’s found that when used in combination with other formaldehyde-releasing prodrugs (FRPs), Doxorubicin becomes more potent, and has the potential to kill even more cancer cells. This much-needed improvement in treatment is also less harmful to heart cells, which are usually badly affected and could mean greatly enhanced quality of life for all impacted.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ALEXANDER SWARBRICK Garvan Institute of Medical Research Project: Uncovering new treatments for metastatic triple negative breast cancer.
NBCF-funded researcher Associate Professor Alexander Swarbrick is using cutting-edge technologies to study the genetics of cancer cells of women with triple negative breast cancer. He’s using ‘single cell genomics’ to analyse samples collected during chemotherapy as well as during metastatic stages of the disease. This exciting research may not only uncover the fundamental mechanisms controlling the response to chemotherapy, but may also provide remarkable new opportunities for predictive tests and drug targets for chemo-resistant triple negative breast cancer.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is Australia’s leading national body funding game-changing breast cancer research with money raised entirely by the Australian public.
We receive no government funding. What we do, would not be possible without the support and generosity of people and organisations like you.
