What started as a love for dance fitness has grown into a powerful way to give back. At a Jazzercise studio in Conifer, Colo., instructors and students come together each October for a Jazzercise breast cancer fundraiser rooted in personal stories, community support and a shared commitment to ending breast cancer.
When patient advocates attend major conferences like the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), they help shape breast cancer clinical trials by sharing what patients really experience and need when it comes to research. They also help to translate complex science into clear, understandable information that helps patients make informed choices. That’s why patient advocate involvement is so important for improving clinical trials for patients. In this installment of Spotlight on Clinical Trials, we explore just a few of the many ways that advocates help shape clinical trials and make a […]
Sonja Rideout’s diagnosis of HER2-positive breast cancer – and later the news it had progressed to metastatic breast cancer – changed her life in ways she never imagined. Through uncertainty and evolving treatment plans, she found strength in the Race for the Cure community and has raised nearly $60,000 to help support others facing breast cancer.
In 2023, Jake felt a lump in his armpit. He was initially diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, which was later determined to be stage 3 as more testing was done. In 2024, he learned the cancer had spread (metastasized). Today, Jake is living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), for which there is currently no cure.
Breakthroughs in breast cancer don’t always mean the development of new drugs – they’re also made by optimizing currently available treatments. Researchers are re-examining some breast cancer treatments through dose optimization. Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) has been the status quo in breast cancer treatment. Clinical trials determine the MTD by finding the highest drug or treatment amount (dose) with acceptable or tolerable side effects for participants. However, some individuals receiving treatments at MTD still experience significant […]
Three years after completing treatment for stage 1 breast cancer, Lea learned she had metastatic breast cancer. “My first thought was whether I was going to die,” she said. “Then I started asking questions. It’s important for me to be here for my family.”
Here are four things to know about clinical trials before going any further after a breast cancer diagnosis. You may feel a sense of urgency, but knowledge is power and a critical tool to advocate for your care. Clinical trials are how researchers find better ways to prevent, detect and treat breast cancer. They are the reason that every treatment, from hormone therapy to targeted medications, exists. And […]
At just 37, Kristi Turner received a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, which began a treatment journey filled with unexpected challenges and life-changing decisions. As a single mom, she faced the physical and emotional impact of cancer along with growing financial strain. With support from Komen’s Patient Financial Assistance Program and the comfort of her beloved corgi, she found stability during her hardest moments.
There’s power in asking for help from others. For the nearly 320,000 people in the U.S. who will hear the words “you have breast cancer” this year, the emotional challenges can be just as tough and complicated as the physical ones. After the initial shock of a diagnosis starts to fade, many people find themselves riding a tidal wave of emotions as they struggle to come to terms with a new reality; one where asking for help from others becomes more important than ever. […]
The decision to participate in a clinical trial can be especially overwhelming following a metastatic breast cancer (MBC) diagnosis. From the difficult decision of whether to participate to managing the unknowns of side effects and outcomes, people diagnosed with MBC must weigh personal risks against potential benefits, which can lead to an array of complex emotions surrounding clinical trials. For some, the decision to participate in a clinical trial provides them with a sense of control amidst a diagnosis that […]
Julie Bernstein knew her family history and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage put her at a higher risk for breast cancer, but she was still shocked when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. She fundraises for Komen through the MORE THAN PINK Walk to help create a world without breast cancer.
Susan G. Komen-led research was spotlighted at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) held this week. This is the world’s largest breast cancer conference, and Komen was honored to contribute to the discussion by presenting pivotal work aimed at addressing needs within the breast cancer community. ASSESS: A Personalized Early Breast Cancer Treatment […]
