Best BCRF Podcasts (2025)

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BCRF Investigators Share Promising Breast Cancer Research at 2024 Symposium 1:02:16

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12M ago1:02:16

1:02:16

Every October, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) celebrates groundbreaking advancements in breast cancer research at its annual Symposium and Awards Luncheon in New York City. This special bonus podcast features a panel discussion from this year’s event, focused on prevention and treatment, with BCRF investigators Dr. Abenaa Brewster, Dr…

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Harnessing the Power of the Immune System for Breast Cancer Treatment 28:17

1y ago28:17

28:17

Can we prevent breast cancer before it even starts? While treatments have made great strides in curing and slowing cancer, researchers are now focusing on strengthening the immune system to stop cancer in its tracks. In this episode, Dr. Robert Vonderheide, director of the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, shares his groundb…

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Closing Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Through Data with Dr. Lola Fayanju 26:16

1+ y ago26:16

26:16

Differences in treatment delivery and receipt are estimated to account for about 50 percent of the racial disparities seen in breast cancer-associated mortality. In this latest episode of Investigating Breast Cancer, Dr. Lola Fayanju discusses her work to understand how to close this gap. BCRF investigator since 2023, Dr. Fayanju, is an associate p…

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Improving Treatment for Male Breast Cancer with Dr. Jose Pablo Leone 25:04

1+ y ago25:04

25:04

In this latest episode, Dr. Jose Pablo Leone discusses the need for a better understanding of male breast cancer to improve treatment options. Dr. Leone is a medical oncologist and clinical investigator in the Breast Oncology Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where he also serves as the director of the Program for Breast Cancer in Men. Dr. Le…

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Unraveling the Mysteries of DCIS with Dr. Shelley Hwang 19:44

1+ y ago19:44

19:44

Dr. Shelley Hwang––BCRF investigator since 2016–– is an experienced clinical trialist with an interest in both the biology and treatment of early-stage breast cancer. In this episode, she discusses the urgent need to better understand Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) and the work she and her team are doing to uncover better treatment options for pat…

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Improving Treatments for Invasive Lobular Carcinoma with Dr. Adrian Lee 20:01

2y ago20:01

20:01

In the latest episode of Investigating Breast Cancer, Dr. Adrian Lee discusses collaboration, strategies to improve treatment for ILC, and more. A BCRF investigator since 2013, he is the Pittsburgh Foundation chair and director of the Institute for Precision Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC…

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Improving Breast Cancer Radiation Treatments with Dr. Rachel Jimenez 24:16

2y ago24:16

24:16

In the latest episode, Dr. Rachel Jimenez discusses a new strategy of delivering radiation called proton beam radiation that could reduce treatment time and minimize its damaging effects on the heart. Unlike traditional radiation, proton therapy radiation can target cancer cells specifically, sparing other healthy tissues from potential damage. Dr.…

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The Effects of a High-Fiber Diet in Early-Stage Breast Cancer with Dr. Laura Esserman 28:10

2y ago28:10

28:10

Dr. Laura Esserman talks about her current research that examines how fiber shapes the gut microbiome, potentially improving the response to immune agents in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Her prior research looked at how immune cells in tumors influence tumor response to immune drugs, and she believes the gut microbiome plays a key role…

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BCRF 2023 New York City Symposium 1:10:17

2y ago1:10:17

1:10:17

In October, BCRF holds its annual New York Symposium and Awards Luncheon. The event recognizes BCRF-supported investigators for their devotion to ending breast cancer and announces the Foundation’s research investment for the coming year. In this special episode of Investigating Breast Cancer, you’ll hear this year’s extraordinary symposium, co-mod…

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Investigating Novel Biomarkers for Personalized Treatments with Dr. Roisin Connolly 31:38

2y ago31:38

31:38

Breast cancer is a profoundly personal disease, and blanket approaches may not work for all patients. In fact, some can avoid particular therapies or treatments altogether. BCRF investigators have played a significant role in developing precision medicine and individualized therapies, improving treatment efficacy and limiting side effects. This is …

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Reflecting on Thirty Years of Progress with Dr. Larry Norton 37:57

2+ y ago37:57

37:57

Since Evelyn H. Lauder and Dr. Larry Norton launched BCRF in 1993 remarkable advances in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and metastasis have been made. But there is still critical work to be done. The Foundation is moving faster and closer than ever to achieving its mission to prevent and cure breast cancer by advancin…

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The Progress and Future of Breast Cancer Vaccines with Dr. Nora Disis 28:05

2+ y ago28:05

28:05

In this latest episode of Investigating Breast Cancer, Dr. Nora Disis talks about prevention, treatment, breast cancer vaccine research, and more. Her research focuses on identifying ways to boost the immune response in breast cancer patients to improve chemotherapy outcomes. She is working on discovering new molecular immunologic targets in solid …

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The Future of Breast Cancer Risk Prediction with Dr. Regina Barzilay 24:55

2+ y ago24:55

24:55

There are some technologies that enhance human efforts and abilities and other technologies that make such a drastic impact–– they revolutionize protocol and entire ways of thinking. AI in the healthcare field is one such technology. Scientists like BCRF Investigator, Dr. Regina Barzilay, are working on ways to harness AI to improve how medical pro…

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Lowering Barriers to Breast Cancer Genetic Testing with Dr. Susan Domchek 24:24

2+ y ago24:24

24:24

Why have so many individuals who carry BRCA mutations not undergone genetic testing and counseling? How do we eliminate barriers to this lifesaving care? Dr. Susan Domchek talks about her work to tackle these issues and more in the latest episode of BCRF's official podcast, Investigating Breast Cancer.…

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Studying Breast Cancer Risk in Asian American Communities with Dr. Scarlett Gomez 23:40

2+ y ago23:40

23:40

What elements of our environment are carcinogenic? What role do factors like age, diet, and genetics play? And because cancer is biological in nature, many of us tend to think about the individual and their body as an obvious point of focus. What about, though, the larger, societal picture? That’s what Dr. Scarlett Gomez and the field of social epi…

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Bridging the Gap Between the Lab and Patient Care with Dr. Ian Krop 28:48

2+ y ago28:48

28:48

In the latest episode of Investigating Breast Cancer, Dr. Ian Krop discusses his team’s work to advance clinical trials through—including one to test immunotherapy in HER2-positive breast cancer. A BCRF investigator since 2017, Dr. Krop is the chief clinical research officer and associate cancer center director for clinical research at the Yale Can…

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Understanding and Targeting Triple-Negative Breast Cancer with Dr. Jill Bargonetti 29:23

3y ago29:23

29:23

The complexities of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) can sometimes make it hard to understand. It’s an aggressive form of breast cancer that is more likely to spread to other tissues––a process called metastasis. BCRF Investigator since 2005, Dr. Jill Bargonetti’s research works to break down some of the complexities of TNBC. Her research has p…

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Exploring Social Determinants of Health in Breast Cancer Care with Dr. Sonya Reid 24:42

3y ago24:42

24:42

Why are Black women 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than white women? And why is it such a challenge to make clinical trials reflect everyone who faces breast cancer? That’s what Dr. Sonya Reid and her team are working to uncover by addressing disparities in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment through research. Dr. Reid is an ass…

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BCRF Investigators Discuss the Latest in Breast Cancer Research at 2022 Symposium 59:05

3y ago59:05

59:05

Each October, BCRF holds its annual New York Symposium and Awards Luncheon. The event recognizes BCRF-supported investigators for their devotion to ending breast cancer and announces the Foundation’s research investment for the coming year. This year’s program included an extraordinary symposium, co-moderated by BCRF Founding Scientific Director Dr…

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Finding and Targeting “Sleeping” Cancer Cells with Dr. Angela DeMichele 28:16

3y ago28:16

28:16

What are dormant cancer cells and how they lead to a clearer understanding of the cancer in remission? Why do particular cancerous cells behave differently than others? BCRF Investigator since 2017, Dr. Angela DeMichele, discusses her work to uncover the answer to these questions and more.By BCRF

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Investigating What Drives Recurrence and Metastasis with Dr. Christina Curtis 28:41

3y ago28:41

28:41

About 30 percent of people diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer will experience a recurrence and develop metastatic disease. Dr. Christina Curtis and her colleagues are working to uncover why recurrence (when breast cancer comes back) and metastasis (when it spreads to other areas of the body beyond the breast and lymph nodes) happens. A BCRF i…

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The Impact of Chemotherapy on Accelerated Aging in Elderly Patients with Dr. Hyman Muss 37:00

3+ y ago37:00

37:00

In the latest episode of BCRF’s official podcast, Investigating Breast Cancer, Dr. Hyman Muss explores the need for more research in the geriatric oncology field. Thanks to Dr. Muss and others, much has been learned about breast cancer in elderly people—but there’s still much more to uncover. A BCRF investigator since 2000, Dr. Muss is professor of…

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Advancing Breast Cancer Immunotherapy and Decoding Treatment Resistance with Dr. Hope Rugo 29:42

3+ y ago29:42

29:42

What is triple-negative breast cancer and how is it identified? How can triple-negative breast cancers escape the immune system? And how can determining whether circulating tumor DNA in blood samples be used to predict metastatic breast cancer or treatment resistance in patients with aggressive disease? BCRF investigator since 2007, Dr. Hope Rugo a…

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Improving Breast Cancer Care and Narrowing the Health Disparities Gap with Dr. Dawn Hershman 21:01

3+ y ago21:01

21:01

Many extraordinary new treatments, diagnostic tests, and procedures for breast cancer patients have been introduced in the past decade—and more are needed and sure to come. But researchers are still exploring ways to improve health disparities in cancer care delivery, quality of care, and quality of life for patients and thrivers. In this latest ep…

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The Urgent Need for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Breakthroughs with Dr. Elisa Port 31:52

4y ago31:52

31:52

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) makes up about 15 percent of all the breast cancers diagnosed. And, better therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to treat this breast cancer subtype. BCRF Investigator, Dr. Elisa Port is working to combat drug resistance in TNBC by developing a drug for the protein PRKCQ—a promising therapeutic target that …

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How Diet and Lifestyle Influence Your Breast Cancer Risk with Dr. Graham Colditz 34:10

4y ago34:10

34:10

Can cancers resulting from lifestyle choices be preventable? What foods should you be eating to reduce your risk of breast cancer? And what non-lifestyle decisions should be considered when looking to reduce their risk? Dr. Graham Colditz, a BCRF investigator since 2004, has spent decades diving into these questions and more. Dr. Colditz is an inte…

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BCRF’s 2021 Boston Hot Pink Symposium 27:47

4y ago27:47

27:47

BCRF’s annual Boston Hot Pink Luncheon and Symposium convenes the Foundation’s dedicated New England–based supporters to honor the area’s investigators and raise additional funds for lifesaving breast cancer research. This year’s virtual program included an outstanding expert panel of BCRF investigators, moderated by BCRF Scientific Director Dr. Ju…

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Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Breast Cancer Research with Dr. Connie Lehman 30:42

4y ago30:42

30:42

Effective medicine has always relied on clear and verifiable diagnoses. Of course, for patients, the wait and uncertainty of diagnostics can be especially trying. BCRF investigator since 2019, Dr. Connie Lehman, is among the scientists and practitioners trying to change that. And she’s doing it in myriad ways to drastically reduce wait times and de…

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Breaking Down Personalized Diagnostics in Breast Cancer with Dr. Joshua LaBaer 27:14

4y ago27:14

27:14

Can breast cancer be found with a blood test? What role do genes and proteins play in developing cancer? What, exactly, are personalized diagnostics? We spoke with BCRF investigator Dr. Joshua LaBaer to answer these questions and more. Dr. LaBaer is one of the country’s foremost investigators in personalized medicine. He serves as executive directo…

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Understanding Global Breast Cancer Disparities with Dr. Temidayo Fadelu 36:39

4y ago36:39

36:39

While academic and medical research has led to incredible breakthroughs in breast cancer care—including new treatments and screening methods—these advances have not reached every patient in every corner of the globe. With breast cancer now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world, it’s critical that lifesaving advances are deployed more equi…

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Unraveling the Mysteries of Inherited Gene Mutations with Dr. Ephrat Levy-Lahad 33:30

4+ y ago33:30

33:30

How can genetic testing data encourage prevention and agency without amplifying personal fear? What can research reveal about genetic markers of risk and predisposition? Or, put differently, how can understanding one’s inherited risk improve approaches to precision prevention? Dr. Ephrat Levy-Lahad is on the forefront of this research, focusing on …

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Perfecting and Personalizing Risk Assessment with Dr. Katherine Nathanson 21:40

4+ y ago21:40

21:40

While breast cancer is not typically caused by inherited factors, as many as 10-15 percent of people diagnosed with breast cancer carry a known genetic mutation. The most well-known mutations are in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. But these only account for 5-10 percent of inherited breast cancers, so what about the many other gene mutations that increa…

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New Approaches to Reducing Repeat Breast Cancer Surgeries with Dr. Mehra Golshan 33:17

4+ y ago33:17

33:17

There are many challenges in managing breast cancer. Top among them is the fact that initial breast conserving surgeries often miss vestiges of a patient’s tumor. In fact, up to 40 percent of women require another procedure following lumpectomy. Not only can additional surgery, of course, increase a patient’s anxiety and be physically taxing, but i…

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Improving the Quality of Life for Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors with Professor Dame Lesley Fallowfield 33:58

4+ y ago33:58

33:58

How do you measure quality of life? As researchers across fields discover new drug therapies or disease prevention—in breast cancer as well as other fields—science finds innumerable ways to measure physical results. But what about the social, behavioral, and psychological aspects of cancer care? And how should medical providers discuss such realtie…

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Understanding Radiation Resistance and Barriers to Quality Care with Dr. Lori Pierce 33:40

5y ago33:40

33:40

For so many breast cancer patients, radiation therapy can bring extraordinary benefits—top among them improved survival rates and reduced recurrence. But there are also challenges and questions: Why do some people experience a recurrence after treatment? How can we reduce side effects? How can we ensure the right patients receive radiation therapy—…

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Connecting the Dots Between Breast Cancer Risk and Obesity, with Dr. Vared Sterns 32:13

5y ago32:13

32:13

Women with breast cancer who are overweight or obese experience inferior outcomes compared to those with normal weight despite receiving optimal therapies. Dr. Vered Stearns discusses researching ways to reduce breast cancer recurrence through effective weight-loss interventions and why we need to bring more discoveries from the lab to the clinic. …

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BCRF Symposium and Awards Luncheon 2020 46:49

5y ago46:49

46:49

Each October, BCRF-funded investigators are honored at the Foundation’s Symposium & Awards Luncheon in New York City. This year, the program was held virtually, without the lunch—but with all of the important conversations and ideas. The annual event announces the Foundation’s grant investment for the coming year and recognizes BCRF investigators f…

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Improving National and Global Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Care with Dr. Funmi Olopade 53:07

5y ago53:07

53:07

Women of African descent are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive breast cancers than white women and are more likely to die from their disease regardless of its type or stage. For those living in remote or low-resource areas, limited access to screening and genetic testing make improving outcomes even more challenging. In this episode of ou…

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A Closer Look at the Evolution of Breast Cancer Cells with Dr. Kornelia Polyak 37:44

5y ago37:44

37:44

The immune system plays a critical role in tumor growth by attacking cancer cells with white blood cells. Cancer cells that survive this immune attack can become invasive and metastatic (a process called immune escape). In this episode of Investigating Breast Cancer, Dr. Kornelia Polyak shares the impact of understanding breast cancer at a molecula…

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Exploring the Many Intersections of Health Equity in Latin America with Dr. Jeffrey Weitzel 39:45

5y ago39:45

39:45

While genetic testing and counseling for breast cancer has been available in the U.S. for many years, accessing these services in Mexico and the rest of Latin America is more challenging due to limited resources. Leading genetics researcher and oncologist, Dr. Jeffrey Weitzel, has devoted his career to decreasing these barriers. Dr. Weitzel, a BCRF…

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Closing the Gap in Breast Cancer Care with Dr. Mariana Chavez MacGregor 32:38

5+ y ago32:38

32:38

Research shows that when chemotherapy is delayed, a patient’s chance of survival falls significantly. Dr. Mariana Chavez MacGregor, a BCRF investigator since 2018, joined our podcast to talk about her work with underserved and underinsured patients—those who are most likely to experience delays—to develop personalized ways to improve healthcare acc…

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The Promise and Potential of Breast Cancer Vaccines with Dr. Karen Anderson 29:24

5+ y ago29:24

29:24

One key goal in developing precision vaccines and immune therapies is to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Yet currently, there is only one FDA-approved immunotherapy drug for breast cancer, and it benefits just a small subset of women. In this episode of Investigating Breast Cancer, we talk with Dr. Karen Anderson about vaccines, harnes…

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The Underlying Biology of Drug Resistance with Dr. Sarat Chandarlapaty 34:23

5+ y ago34:23

34:23

Advances in cancer therapy have dramatically contributed to the decline in breast cancer deaths over the last three decades. But even with these advances, drug resistance—when tumors stop responding to anti-cancer drugs—remains a serious clinical challenge. Dr. Sarat Chandarlapaty talks about the strategies to prevent cancer cells from evading the …

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A Cross-disciplinary Approach to Breast Cancer Research with Dr. Antonio Wolff 41:36

5+ y ago41:36

41:36

In the fight to understand and solve breast cancer, “it takes a village.” In this case, the village is more like a globally connected series of research labs, scientists, patients, funders and more. In other words, something that looks a lot like the Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium (TBCRC). The TBCRC is a collaborative group founded…

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Breast Cancer Care and COVID-19: From the Frontlines with Dr. Judy Garber 22:04

6y ago22:04

22:04

Breast cancer—and any cancer—can be incredibly stressful under the best of circumstances for patients, survivors, and their families. In this time of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), concerns can feel like they’re rising exponentially. So, what do we all need to know? With tons of new information bombarding us at once, what should cancer patients …

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Developing Personalized Risk Prediction with Dr. Mark Robson 29:07

6y ago29:07

29:07

Dr. Mark Robson talks about how he’s working to help identify the right tests for the right person at the right age How can researchers provide more precise risk estimates so that individuals with inherited risks can make informed decisions about their health, so that the right women are getting the right tests at the right age? Dr. Robson is condu…

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Unraveling Metastatic Breast Cancer, with Dr. Martine Piccart 30:17

6y ago30:17

30:17

Dr. Martine Piccart talks to us about the power of collaboration in metastatic breast cancer research Metastasis, the spread of cancer cells from the breast to other sites in the body, is responsible for nearly all breast cancer deaths. Approximately 150,000 men and women are diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer each year. Today, BCRF is the lar…

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Young women and breast cancer, with Dr. Ann Partridge 41:53

6y ago41:53

41:53

For young women, a breast cancer diagnosis presents a unique set of challenges not only due to age, but the biology of the disease as well. While a diagnosis under the age of 40 is rare, the disease tends to behave more aggressively. Compared to older breast cancer patients, young women treated for the disease tend to have an increased risk of expe…

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BCRF Symposium & Awards Luncheon: Live from New York City 1:11:56

6y ago1:11:56

1:11:56

Every October, BCRF-funded researchers are honored at the annual Symposium & Awards Luncheon in New York City. This is when BCRF makes its formal announcement of research grants for the upcoming year and recognizes its investigators for their devotion to ending breast cancer with their trailblazing scientific inquiry. The event provides a unique op…

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Mapping and understanding brain metastasis in breast cancer, with Dr. Priscilla Brastianos 29:16

6y ago29:16

29:16

Metastasis, when cancer cells leave the breast and spread to other sites in the body, is the major cause of mortality from breast cancer. The brain is one of the most common organs breast cancer invades, occurring in more than one third of patients with advanced breast cancer, up to 300,000 patients a year. The prognosis of cancer patients who deve…