FRONTLINE
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On the front line in the battle against breast cancer.
SPRING 2012
Refunds for Research Campaign Underway Thanks to PA Taxpayers, PBCC Awards $150,000 to Cancer Researchers; Launches Tax-Season Effort to Raise Funds for Research
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Andy Minn, M.D., Ph.D. and Takemi Tanaka, Ph.D. are officially recognized as 2012 Refunds for Research awardees by PBCC President & Founder Pat Halpin-Murphy and Councilman Dennis O’Brien.
efunds for Breast and Cervical Cancer Research is an effort to raise funds for grants to Pennsylvania-based researchers with the help of Pennsylvania taxpayers. State taxpayers can opt to donate all or part of their income tax refund to the PBCC’s Refunds for Research campaign. Philadelphia’s City Hall provided a great opportunity to kick-off the 2012 campaign. Andy Minn, M.D., Ph.D. of the University of Pennsylvania and Takemi Tanaka, Ph.D. of Thomas Jefferson University - two of the three researchers selected as grant awardees this year. City Councilman Dennis O’Brien, a long time friend of the PBCC, joined PBCC President and Founder Pat Halpin-Murphy in congratulating Dr. Minn and Dr. Tanaka on their selection as award recipients, presenting each researcher with $50,000 grants, and speaking about how the program is making a difference. Join us on April 2nd as we congratulate Dr. Allan Lipton of The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine on his $50,000 grant. The event will be held at 2pm in the East Wing Rotunda at the Harrisburg Capitol. We hope to see you there! For more information or to RSVP, email Jen Pensinger at Jennifer@PABreastCancer.org.
REFUNDS FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH Your state tax refund today can ensure her tomorrows. This tax season YOU can help find a cure for breast cancer! Look for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition’s Refunds for Research line (line 35) on your state income tax form and donate your refund to breast cancer research. Every penny raised goes to research.
Help find a cure for breast cancer now... so our daughters won’t have to.
Lahela
PA BREAST CANCER COALITION
www.PABreastCancer.org
800-377-8828
FRONTLINE President’s Corner TM
A quarterly publication of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition
800-377-8828 www.PABreastCancer.org Statewide Headquarters 344 North Reading Road Ephrata, PA 17522 Pat Halpin-Murphy President & Founder
Leslie Anne Miller, Esq. Executive Vice President
Heather Hibshman Executive Director
HONORARY BOARD Bernard Fisher, M.D. Michele M. Ridge Senator Harris Wofford
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Madlyn Abramson Rosemary Boland Sandra Christianson Sandy Cray Deborah Freer John Glick, M.D. Gary Gurian G. June Hoch Andrea Mastro, Ph.D. Alice Sanders Jeanne Schmedlen Mary Simmonds, M.D., F.A.C.P. Pat Stewart Leslie Stiles Ted Williams Norman Wolmark, M.D.
PBCC STAFF Carol Burkholder Kim Eubanks Tricia Grove Dolores Magro Jennifer Pensinger Kevin Smith Kristen Snoke
FrontLine is published as a quarterly communique for the information of the supporters and friends of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or distributed without permission from the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. Amy Collins Law, Editor Amy@PABreastCancer.org
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Making Plans for the 2012 PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference - We Want to See YOU There!
Pat Halpin-Murphy
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all may be far from many people’s minds at this point in the year, but here at the PBCC we’re already looking ahead to October and the PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference in Harrisburg on Tuesday, October 9. It is my pleasure to announce Pennsylvania’s First Lady Susan Corbett as the Honorary Chair of the Conference. We enjoyed working with her on the 2011 Conference and are thrilled she will be with us once again. We are also currently seeking proposals for workshops to be presented at the conference that relate to the following tracks - Breast Cancer Survivorship, Advances in Treatment, Research and Clinical Trials, Leadership, Advocacy & Education, The Mind/Body Connection, and Caring for the Caregiver. Each workshop is one hour and should be presented for an audience of breast cancer survivors and advocates. The deadline for workshop proposals is April 2, 2012. For more information, visit www.PABreastCancer.org/annual_conf/workshops. The PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference would not be possible without the generous, continuous support of our sponsors. We would like to thank the following sponsors who have already committed their support to the 2012 conference: Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Carlisle Regional Medical Center, Feinberg Shopp Associates, GlaxoSmithKline, Partners in Women’s Healthcare, PC, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Wistar Institute. We look forward to adding to that list in the coming months as our staff works to make the 2012 PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference the best yet. For information on the conference including sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.PABreastCancer.org/annual_conf.
Meet the PBCC Board: Leslie Stiles
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eslie Stiles joined the PBCC Board of Directors after serving as the Honorary Chair during her tenure as Executive Director of the PA Commission for Women. Leslie continues to be very active in public outreach and serves as the President of the PA Conference for Women, which is an annual conference that welcomes 5,000 attendees for a day of personal and professional development. Leslie counts initiating the PA Conference for Women as well one of her proudest professional accomplishments. As a breast cancer survivor herself, Leslie is also very proud of the work of the PA Commission for Women under her leadership to heighten visibility of women’s health issues. As for her continued work with the PBCC, Leslie says, “The PBCC’s passion to fight this disease is evidenced not only in the women they serve but the Grassroots Partners that support them. They are a family as much as they are an effective organization and you couldn’t ask for more.” When she has free time, Leslie savors time spent with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. Getting away to Martha’s Vineyard and watching the sunset with her best friends, her husband, family and golden retriever is “about as good as it gets.” She also enjoys golfing and learning how to play bridge.
FRONTLINE - SPRING 2012
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PA BREAST CANCER COALITION
800-377-8828
Survivor
Spotlight
Illuminating the lives of breast cancer survivors
Cathy Noll
Bucks County well. She met the participate thy and her daughter Tantryn Ca ether. people who had been in a breast cancer eve tog It’s impossible to tell Cathy Noll’s story there for her mother, without also talking about her daughter supporting her and Taryn. As the PBCC often says, breast cancer making her smile. affects the whole family, and Cathy and Taryn illustrate that beautifully. When Cathy was diagnosed in October 2009, the biggest Mother/Daughter Bond challenge for her was breaking the news to Through mastectomy, radiation and They grew closer her daughter. Taryn had just started her first chemotherapy, mother and daughter year of college and was three hours away from and learned that home. Cathy was concerned about how protected one another. They grew closer and you can plan ahead Taryn would handle hearing it, so she put on learned that you can plan ahead all you want a brave face for her daughter’s benefit. But but sometimes things aren’t going to go all you want but Cathy worried, “Who would be there for my according to your plan. But that doesn’t mean sometimes things it won’t all work out, and you find a new kind daughter if I’m not here?” of normal. aren’t going to go Cathy babysits her grandchildren, according to your Power of Pink crochets, and likes to watch TV. Taryn continues her studies at Penn State and is plan. But that Meanwhile, the difficult part for Taryn President and Founder of The Power of Pink, was being so far away at school. She felt lost in honor of her mother. doesn’t mean it and helpless. She couldn’t take on extra chores You can read more about Cathy and won’t all work out, around the house or go to the hospital with Taryn, and over 100 others, in Tammy A. and you find a new her mother. She started wondering, “Who Miller’s book, Pink Ribbon Stories: A will be there for my mother if I’m not there?” Celebration of Life. All proceeds from kind of normal. To help process her own feelings, Taryn the sale of this book benefit the created The Power of Pink, a breast cancer PBCC. Ordering information is at awareness club at Penn State University. pbcc.me/PinkRibbonStories. Power of Pink is a supporter of Pink Zone, an annual Lady Lions’ basketball game Read more about breast cancer benefiting several organizations, including the survivors and those whose lives PBCC. have been touched by breast Over a school break, Taryn accompanied Cathy to her chemotherapy treatment. She cancer in Pink Ribbon Stories: was surprised and comforted to see that A Celebration of Life. Cathy’s fellow patients and all the nurses Available in the PBCC Online knew not only Cathy’s name but Taryn’s as Marketplace!
Diagnosis and Treatment
FRONTLINE - SPRING 2012
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www.PABreastCancer.org
PA BREAST CANCER COALITION
800-377-8828
PBCC Patient Advocacy at Work: Helping Patients Get the Care They Need E ven with all the events that the PBCC organizes, one of the most important and rewarding services we provide is helping individual women get the help they need. This is true for women like Dorothy from Lititz, who wrote the PBCC when her insurer refused to pay her doctor for a surgery to replace a problematic expander following a mastectomy in December 2007. The PBCC’s Patient Advocate Dolores Magro contacted Dorothy to gather additional information on the reasons her insurer gave for denying her appeal. The insurance company maintained that the procedure was “cosmetic.” Dolores gave Dorothy information about the Breast Cancer Reconstructive Surgery Act, which the PBCC counts
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FRONTLINE - SPRING 2012
among its many legislative victories. A few months later, Dorothy wrote the PBCC to let us know that after giving her insurance company the information about the Breast Cancer Reconstructive Surgery Act, they reversed their decision on her appeal and covered the surgery. “It's exhausting to fight for what you know is right,” Dorothy wrote. “I never wanted something for nothing, I just wanted what was fair!” If you or a loved one has a similar problem related to screening or treatment for breast cancer that you think the PBCC may be able to help with, please contact Dolores at Dolores@PABreastCancer.org or 800-377-8828 ext 302. We will do our very best to help you get the care you need.
www.PABreastCancer.org
PA BREAST CANCER COALITION
800-377-8828
M E D I C A L A RT I C L E
The Future: Individualizing Treatment for Ductal Carcinoma in Situ by THOMAS B. JULIAN, M.D. Professor of Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine and Temple University School of Medicine; Director, Division of Breast Surgical Oncology, WPAHS; Senior Surgical Director, Medical Affairs NSABP
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uctal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast makes up 15%-20% of all newly diagnosed breast cancer cases. Among breast cancers that are detected mammographically, DCIS constitutes 30-40% of cases. Considered to be a precursor to the majority of invasive breast carcinomas, DCIS has generated intense interest in the molecular pathways that likely contribute to this progression. New treatment strategies that intercept such progression are of particular interest. DCIS consists of many different subtypes with diverse biologic potential, but little progress has been made toward identifying targeted treatments for these subtypes, other than the FDAapproved use of tamoxifen for ER-positive DCIS, which has a distinct benefit in lowering recurrence. Tailored treatments for high-risk, ER-positive or ER-negative DCIS, subtypes of DCIS that often overexpress the HER2/neu proto-oncogene, have not yet been established. There is no existing approved targeted therapy for DCIS that is at high risk because of pockets of dead cells that form in a duct (comedo necrosis) or ER negativity. To date, for DCIS patients who have been treated by lumpectomy, whole breast irradiation (WBI) has been a mainstay of therapy. Four randomized clinical trials have identified the benefit of adding WBI to lower the in-breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) rate by 50%. Although there have been attempts to identify patients who may not require post-lumpectomy radiation therapy, the studies have been limited and the results conflicting. Thus far no reliable way has been found to select a group of DCIS patients who would not benefit from radiation therapy. To explore the potential of a novel targeted therapy that might lower IBTR, the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project has launched NSABPB-43, which is investigating the use of trastuzumab (Herceptin®) as a targeted agent in the treatment of HER2/neu-positive DCIS. The study compares 2 doses of Herceptin
given during radiation therapy to radiation therapy alone for women with HER2 positive DCIS following lumpectomy. Herceptin has proven very successful in improving outcomes for patients with invasive HER2-positive breast cancer. There is good evidence that one of this agent's activities is to work as a radiation sensitizer in HER2-positive breast cancer and reduce IBTR. Patients can enter this prospective, randomized phase III adjuvant clinical trial after undergoing lumpectomy and a central review of their DCIS to determine that their tumor was proven positive for HER2. If results are successful, we will be one step closer to decreasing IBTR and increasing the use of breast-conserving therapy for this group of women. In hopes of diminishing the need for radiation in patients after lumpectomy for DCIS, researchers using clinical trial data have taken the first steps toward using the molecular makeup of DCIS to identify patients at low, intermediate, or high risk for IBTR. In a method similar to the way tumor genetic makeup is used in oncotypeDX test scoring to determine the risk for distant recurrence in patients with ER-positive invasive breast cancer and to select patients most likely to need chemotherapy, an oncotype scoring method using similar tumor genes has been developed to aid in assessing risk for IBTR in patients with DCIS. Although more work will need to be carried out on this approach, this is an exciting first step toward understanding of the molecular makeup of DCIS and its progression to invasive breast cancer. As has begun to occur in the targeted and individualized treatment of patients with invasive breast cancer, a similar process may evolve for patients with DCIS so that both outcomes and quality of life are improved. It has been the clinical trial model and the courage of women who have participated in clinical trials that have led to these advances. FRONTLINE - SPRING 2012
Dr. Thomas B. Julian
“It has been the clinical trial model and the courage of women who have participated in clinical trials that have led to these advances.” -- Dr. Thomas B. Julian
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PA BREAST CANCER COALITION
www.PABreastCancer.org
800-377-8828
Grassroots Partners B
Bloomsburg University 5K Walk/Run
loomsburg University was once again the site of a 5K walk/run in October to benefit the PBCC. Event organizer Madelyn Rodriguez worked to coordinate the details of the event, and because of her hard work and the efforts of all those who planned and participated in the event, $8,500 was raised for the PBCC. Thanks to Madelyn and her team as well as all walkers and runners for making the event such a success!
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he Central PA Junior Dawgs Lacrosse Team held a fundraising effort to help slash breast cancer. Through teamwork and hard work, they raised nearly $2,000 for the PBCC. Way to go Junior Dawgs and all those who supported them in their winning effort!
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ersey: A British Rock Invasion brought a taste of America’s favorite music from across the pond to Media, PA. $1,100 was raised from rockin’ and rollin’ night. Thanks to Dan Traynor and all those who took part in this night of fun for the PBCC!
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he Lois Orange Ducoeur Breast Cancer Walk was held in Charleroi in October. The PBCC was selected as a recipient of a portion of the proceeds from this popular event. $5,230 was presented to the PBCC. Our thanks to the community of Charleroi and all the planners and participants!
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hili and Chrome combined for a great time for classic car enthusiasts and chili fans. Melissa Bennett chose to support the PBCC as her charity of choice, and raised $3,594. Many thanks to Melissa and all those who participated in turning a day of chili and chrome into cash for the PBCC!
estmoreland County Fairgrounds was the site of the Ride for the Cure Horse Show. Nearly $3,000 was raised for the PBCC, thanks to the efforts of the planning committee of Madelyne Pieringer, Gracie Henderson, Hattie Henderson and Ally Frye and all the participants!
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asketball action to support the PBCC was in abundance this winter, with high schools throughout the state taking it to the hoop to promote breast cancer awareness and raise funds to help the PBCC continue its work. Special thanks to Williams Valley High School, Seneca Valley High School, and Methacton High School for supporting the PBCC with their special breast cancer awareness activities!
Williams Valley High School Basketball
Seneca Valley High School
Methacton High School
Plant the seed in your community and watch it grow statewide - become a Grassroots Partner. To find out how, call Kristen at the PBCC at 800-377-8828 or visit PABreastCancer.org 6
FRONTLINE - SPRING 2012
PA BREAST CANCER COALITION
www.PABreastCancer.org
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he West York Wrestling team took breast cancer to the mat in a fundraiser for the PBCC. These athletes raised $1,125! Many thanks to the wrestlers, fans, and all who worked to make the event possible!
800-377-8828
Martin’s Chips in for a Cure
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tudents at North Dickinson Elementary School in put spare change to work for the PBCC with their Penny Wars fundraiser, raising a grand total of $5,920 with the help from some community businesses. Way to show how small change can make a big impact!
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wo Central PA restaurants showed their support for the PBCC in a delicious way. T.J. Rockwell’s in Elizabethtown and Mechanicsburg and JoJo’s Pizza in Mechanicsburg had customers put their money where their mouth is in October! T.J. Rockwell’s raised $3,162 and JoJo’s Pizza raised $1,476 through their efforts. Thanks to Jeff Heckman and Steve Heckman at T.J. Rockwell’s and Nino Purpura at JoJo’s for supporting the PBCC!
Coming to Your Community 3/23 4/2 4/19-29 4/28 5/5 5/6 5/10-20 5/19 6/1 6/14-24 6/15 July 10/9
Dover High School Baseball Game Dover Area High School, Dover, York County Refunds for Research Press Conference Main Rotunda, PA State Capitol, Harrisburg 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in PA Central Penn College, Summerdale, Cumberland County Hanson Brothers After-Winter Classic Klick Lewis Arena, Annville, Lebanon County Horse Ride for Life Shale Knoll Indoor Arena, Annville, Lebanon County Linden Hall Walk Linden Hall, Lititz, Lancaster County 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in PA Guthrie Clinic, Sayre, Bradford County Ladies of Harley Motorcycle Ride Susquehanna Valley Harley Davidson, Dauphin County Pink Day at Stauffers Garden Centers Stauffers of Kissel Hill, Lititz, Lancaster County 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in PA Hazleton Health & Wellness Center, Luzerne County 2012 Scrapple Scramble Groff Golf Resort, Mount Joy, Lancaster County Take a Swing Against Breast Cancer Home Run Derby Stadiums Across Pennsylvania PA Breast Cancer Coalition Annual Conference Harrisburg Hilton, Dauphin County
For more information, visit www.PABreastCancer.org/Events
Once again, potato chip lovers opted to ‘Chip in for a Cure’ to the tune of $27,312.25! Our friends at Martin’s Potato Chips contributed a quarter for every special pink ribbon bag of their Kettle Cook’d Chips sold throughout October to the PBCC. That’s a lot of chips! Thanks Martin’s and all the potato chip lovers who made this possible!
Crawford County Hosts the 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania Exhibit
Heather Hibshman, Florence Dillaman, Vicki Chandler, Valerie Waid, & Merrilynn Cushman all spoke at the opening reception for the exhibit.
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he Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute in Crawford County kicked off the PBCC’s 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania spring tour on March 1. A capacity crowd filled the room as Valerie Waid, B.S.N., M.B.A., R.N., Director of Cancer Care Services at the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute, welcomed the community to the opening reception showcasing the exhibit. PBCC Executive Director Heather Hibshman shared information on the PA Breast Cancer Coalition and explained the purpose of bringing the exhibit to different corners of the state. Breast cancer survivors Florence Dillaman, Vicki Chandler and Merrilynn Cushman, who is also the Crawford County Exhibit Participant, moved the audience with their stories of survivorship and hope. Many thanks to Sue Kilburn, Crawford County Committee Chair; the entire Crawford County Committee and the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute for hosting the display. We’d also like to thank the PA Department of Health for their continued support of the exhibit.
FRONTLINE - SPRING 2012
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Madelyn
your state tax refund today can ensure her tomorrows.
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Join Us to Take a Swing Against Breast Cancer! NEW Features This Year! Personalized Online Participant Center u
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The 2012 Home Run Derby will be coming to a minor league ball park near you in July. Don’t miss your chance to step up to the plate and take a swing! Be a team leader, individual batter, sponsor or supporter. Many sponsorship opportunities available for all budgets. Visit PAHomeRunDerby.org for details.
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