Stories about breast cancer that can inspire and inform

Blog  |  Newsroom

Highlights From ESMO 2023

Scientists and doctors from around the world recently gathered for the 2023 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress, which took place Oct. 20-24 in Madrid, Spain. Here, researchers present their latest findings that have the potential to change the standard of care for patients here in the United States. This year’s meeting was full of exciting news for breast cancer. 

New Komen Researcher Dr. Erika Crosby is Seeking New Immunotherapy Benefits for Obese Women with TNBC 

Through her new Komen-funded study, Komen researcher Erika Crosby, Ph.D., is hoping to answer these questions, with a goal of improving treatment outcomes for obese women with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), especially Black women. Dr. Crosby, who is an assistant professor at Duke University and an immunologist, is dedicated to improving the effectiveness of immunotherapies and ensuring breast cancer research is representative and beneficial to all.  

Empowerment Through Fitness: A Metastatic Breast Cancer Journey with Alexandra Spinner

Join us on a transformative journey with Alexandra Spinner, a fitness advocate who faced a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis in 2019. Discover her holistic approach to surviving and thriving, embracing “survival of the wisest” as she shares invaluable insights into fitness, self-care, and resilience. Alexandra’s story will inspire you to start small, prioritize your health, and find empowerment, even in the face of adversity.

Pillars of Hope

Jaya Kataria’s son, Rishi, was just 13 when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. After watching her perseverance in the face of her illness, Rishi knew he wanted to give back to the breast cancer community, which is when he launched Pillars of Hope and began making candles to raise money to support Susan G. Komen’s mission to end breast cancer forever.

Amplifying Voices and Bridging Inequities: Marian Johnson-Thompson’s Breast Cancer Advocacy Journey

In the collective effort to create a world free from breast cancer, every story, every experience and every voice matters. One such voice that has been pivotal in shaping the narrative and enhancing awareness about breast cancer inequities is that of Marian Johnson-Thompson, Ph.D.

Lucie’s Story: I Had Zero Risk Factors for Breast Cancer. I Got it Anyway.  

Lucie had no family history of breast cancer and was under 40 when she was diagnosed with invasive carcinoma and DCIS. “My doctor reminded me that my diagnosis wasn’t a death sentence and she was thankful that we caught it early,” Lucie said. “Despite delivering this devastating news, she gave me hope.”

Breast Cancer Breakthroughs Episode 5: Moving the Needle for HER2+ Breast Cancer 

Since the approval of the first therapy targeting the HER2 protein in 1998, outcomes for people with an aggressive type of breast cancer, called HER2-positive, have improved dramatically. While there are now eight approved drugs that target HER2, the disease can still outsmart each of them over time. Because of this, there is still work to be done.