FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Amanda Stanley
amanda.stanley@asco.org
571-48-1364

ALEXANDRIA, VA. — The challenges facing young women with breast cancer, and the promise of high-tech cancer care in rural settings, are the subjects of innovative new grants addressing real-life issues in cancer care, awarded by the ASCO Cancer Foundation®, with funding from Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

The $2.7 million in grants are the first ever from The ASCO Cancer Foundation’s new Improving Cancer Care Grants program, funded by Komen for the Cure. At $1.35 million each, they are the largest ever in the history of The ASCO Cancer Foundation Grants Program, which has now given more than $9 million over its 27 year history.

The Improving Cancer Care Grants, announced today, are part of an historic collaboration between The ASCO Cancer Foundation, ASCO, and Komen for the Cure. Komen is providing $10 million in support of projects and programs designed to improve the quality of cancer care. The goal of the collaboration is to encourage multidisciplinary research that will have a major impact on cancer care with general applicability to breast cancer.

The recipients of these prestigious grants submitted proposals to develop and implement new solutions to existing challenges in cancer care. They will include multidisciplinary teams of clinicians, nurses, statisticians, information technologists, and other research experts. The two research proposals that were selected for funding are focused on the following:

• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston will address the issues and concerns facing young women who are receiving breast cancer treatment. In particular, many young women are concerned about the future of their fertility following treatment. However, lack of information and support surrounding this and other issues of concern to young women, may contribute to the greater distress seen in this patient group. Researchers will implement a program in community care settings to provide additional care, support and education for young women with breast cancer, and additional education and clinical tools to assist providers in caring for them. The program will then be evaluated in comparison to another intervention through a randomized controlled trial involving oncology practices. The project, led by Ann Hart Partridge, MD, MPH, will serve as a model to improve care and overcome barriers to delivering optimal care for unique groups of patients. Other team members include Karen M. Emmons, PhD, Mary L. Greany, PhD, Kathryn J. Ruddy, MD, MPH, and Julie S. Najita, PhD.
  
  
• Shaw Regional Cancer Center: In an effort to help bridge the gap between small radiation oncology rural practices and the rapidly advancing technology utilized in larger group practices, Shaw Regional Cancer Center, located in Edwards, Colorado, will develop a program which utilizes the internet for a web based radiation oncology treatment planning review program. Radiation oncologists will virtually collaborate with experts in breast radiation oncology, mimicking traditional patient chart reviews. A computer connection will allow direct live visual illustration of the planned radiation treatment in the context of the overall treatment plan. Rural oncology practices will be able to consult with some of the top radiation oncologists in the world. The program’s concept and technology, and model for collaboration could potentially be translated into any field of oncology. Patricia Harrigan Hardenbergh, MD will serve as the principal investigator for the program and lead the team from the Shaw Regional Cancer Center. Carol A. Hahn, MD, of Duke University will be a co-investigator on the project.

"The ASCO Cancer Foundation is continuing its long-standing commitment to supporting cancer research and scientific discoveries,” said Martin J. Murphy, Jr., PhD, DMedSc, Chair of The ASCO Cancer Foundation Board of Directors. “The Improving Cancer Care Grants provide researchers with an opportunity to develop real solutions designed to increase patient access to quality cancer care.”

“As we search for cures and treatments for breast cancer, we’re also focused on the issues that women with the disease face today, and in the delivery of the best care to women and men wherever they may live,” said Elizabeth Thompson, senior vice president of medical and scientific affairs for Komen. “These research programs seek the innovative approaches we need to meet the real needs of real people with breast cancer across the U.S., with implications worldwide.”

Visit The ASCO Cancer Foundation Web site for more information on the Improving Cancer Care Grants.

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About ASCO
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world's leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With more than 28,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. For ASCO information and resources, visit www.asco.org/presscenter. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at www.cancer.net.

About The ASCO Cancer Foundation
The ASCO Cancer Foundation funds research and education programs both in the U.S. and abroad. By harnessing the knowledge of more than 28,000 oncology professionals in the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), we help deliver physician-approved information directly to those in need. Through these efforts, we improve the lives of those affected by cancer. For more information, visit www.ascocancerfoundation.org.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, we have invested nearly $1.5 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.