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A tournament open to all players to benefit Massey's life-saving cancer research. 

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A private tournament to benefit Massey's life-saving cancer research.

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Enjoy a complimentary picnic while listening to experts discuss breast cancer risk reduction.

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Join a panel of Massey's renowned specialists to discuss comprehensive care for breast cancer.

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Shop, sip and proclaim that "breast cancer is a witch!" at The Shops at 5807.

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Join us for an evening of fashion, music, and culinary delights from the areas premier chefs, plus a silent auction, as only Saks can do it. Proceeds support cancer research at Massey.

This fund-raising event for Massey is dedicated to the eradication of breast cancer.

Play games to support life-saving research at Massey.

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Extraordinary progress in cancer prevention, detection and treatment has been made in the last year. The 2012 American Association for Cancer Research Progress Report highlights achievements capping a year  of "wins" in the war on cancer. The report echoes what Massey researcher Yi Ning, M.D., Sc.D., found in his recent study: nearly half of all cancer survivors die of causes other than cancer.

Why are more patients surviving cancer? Evolving technology and innovative research at VCU Massey and other NCI-designated cancer centers are resulting in tangible clinical advances. Here are a few examples.

Novel drug combination shows promising results for triple negative breast cancer

 

Researchers at Massey have developed a novel combination drug therapy for advanced malignancies, including triple negative breast cancer, a disease that is very difficult to treat. Principal investigator Andrew Poklepovic, M.D., is leading a clinical trial to study the benefits of pemetrexed used in concert with sorafenib. This research builds upon laboratory experiments by Massey scientists Richard Moran, Ph.D., and

Paul Dent, Ph.D.

 

Andrew Poklepovic, M.D., and Maria Quigley, R.N., review study findings.

Pemetrexed, co-discovered by Dr. Moran, prevents the formation of DNA and RNA, which are required for the growth and survival of both normal and cancer cells. When used in concert with sorafenib (which works by slowing the spread of cancer cells), the drugs create a synergistic killing effect. The combination promotes toxic autophagy, a new cancer-fighting strategy that causes cancer cells to cannibalize themselves. Read more.

 

Potential new targets discovered for breast cancer treatment

 

Despite the observations that breast cancers often develop in close association with fat (which is abundant in the breast), little has been known about the involvement of fat-associated cells in cancer growth, until now. 

 

Scientists at Massey are investigating the role of fatty tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the development of breast cancer. Mesenchymal stem cells are cells that typically differentiate to produce fat, bone and cartilage. "We have recently found that these local adult stem cells stimulate the growth and invasion of basal-like breast cancer, an aggressive tumor type for which there is no effective targeted therapy," says lab director Lynne Elmore, Ph.D. "By defining at the molecular level how fat-derived cells promote breast cancer, we hope to ultimately inhibit such actions by specifically targeting these signaling pathways. By doing so, we can treat breast cancer in a more specific and less toxic way." Read more.

 

New tools for treating breast cancer
 

Massey researchers are inventing new tools for breast cancer therapy. Radiation oncologist Doug Arthur, M.D., contributed to the development of the technology behind AccuBoost, an image-guided treatment for breast cancer that uses digital mammography to improve radiation targeting. "We typically give patients a 'boost' of radiation to the surgical site following whole-breast radiation treatment," explains Dr. Arthur. "AccuBoost uses real-time images to improve dose delivery. We literally see what we treat and treat what we see."

Arthur and Dorin Todor, Ph.D., also contributed to the clinical development of another invention. The Contura Multilumen Balloon is an applicator for brachytherapy procedures. Brachytherapy involves placing the radioactive source inside or next to the breast treatment site.

The new Contura applicator has five catheters inside the balloon that allows for dose shaping during high-dose rate brachytherapy treatment. Some patients who previously would not be good candidates for partial breast irradiation are now candidates with the advent of Contura. Read more.

 

Massey pilot study goes national 

Not all clinical trials assess curative therapies. Many trials target pain and symptoms that can interfere with the quality of life and ability to heal, such as frequent severe hot flashes in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors. Current therapies to relieve hot flashes are not an option for these women if they increase levels of estrogen, which may increase the risk of relapse. Breast cancer survivors need a non-estrogen alternative therapy.

In 2009, researchers at Massey enrolled 26 subjects in a pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of magnesium oxide in reducing both the frequency and severity of hot flashes. The results were so encouraging that Massey is now collaborating with the Mayo Clinic and the other members of the North Central Cancer Treatment Group to enroll participants in a larger, national trial. Massey's Haeseong Park, M.D., M.P.H., is one of two national study chairs and Mary Helen Hackney, M.D., is leading the trial at Massey. To learn more, contact Gwen Parker, study coordinator, at 1-800-925-8821.

October has been designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month in part to draw attention to the role lifestyle plays in cancer prevention. Here are things you can do to reduce your risk.

* Do a breast self-exam once a month, one week after your period, not before. By doing this regularly, you get to know how your breasts normally feel so that you are more apt to detect any change.

Massey's breast health experts provide comprehensive care.

* Eat a good diet.

* Exercise regularly. Living an active lifestyle will help you maintain a healthy weight. Obesity can increase the risk of breast and other cancers.  

* Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol in excess (more than one drink a day). 

* Know your family health history.   

* Talk with your physician about when to start routine clinical breast examinations and mammography. Screening guidelines depend on various factors, including family health history.  

Do men get breast cancer? 

Yes, men can have breast cancer, but it is rare. Much of the same advice given to women applies to men; in particular, men should pay attention to changes in their body. The following are the most common symptoms of breast cancer in men.

* Breast lumps

* Nipple inversion

* Nipple discharge (sometimes bloody)

* A pain or pulling sensation in the breast

The symptoms of breast cancer may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis. Read more.