AACR (American Association of Cancer Research) Annual Meeting // BBCs (Bangkok Breast Cancer Support Group)

July 10-14, 2003 Washington, D.C. USA

In February of 2003, the Bangkok Breast Cancer Support group was chosen to send a fully sponsored (by the Avon Foundation ) representative to the annual meeting in Toronto, Canada on April 3. Due to SARS, the meeting was rescheduled for July 10 in Washington, DC. As one of AACR’s goals is to not only focus on improving communication and developing relationships between scientists, physicians and lay persons to the benefit of the cancer patient, but to reach out internationally, the BBCs was selected to participate.

Connie Larkin who founded BBCs has just completed three days of learning from noted scientists and researchers from leading medical establishments in the USA….Graham Golditz, Dr. P.H., M.D. Harvard Medical School, Dennis J. Slamon, M.D. Ph.D, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, to name a few who have had significant impacts on the development of breast cancer research, as well as leaders from M.D. Andersen, Dana-Farber Institute, Sloane-Kettering, etc. As Connie writes, “ Learning not only occurred in lectures, symposiums, exhibitions, but from the enormous and at most times overwhelming environment of people who are responsible for the treatments and drugs that help combat this disease named cancer! The strides in genetic, protein, molecular research has been staggering. I am under the impression that research in cancer is a true representation of life itself…a cycle of birth of new discoveries and death of dated discoveries…..always changing, the new discoveries only being followed by newer ones, and how critical it is to stay abreast of current developments for the benefit of the cancer patient……not fully understanding the cycles……not always understanding how progress is made, only knowing that progress IS being made.

As a lay person with a fairly weak biology background, I quickly learned to focus on the overall purpose of being present at an event such as this along with 12,000 other people!

I have no figures, but the lay sector was probably in the one percentile of participants. So, molecular biology is not what has registered well. However, what has been important me, the BBCs and hopefully to the advancement of cancer care and research in Thailand and for that matter SE Asia, is the potential possibilities for growth and relationship establishment with these people who are behind advances in the battle with cancer.

I have made contact with and have had discussions at length with the Susan B. Komen Foundation which is the largest Breast Cancer Foundation in the world. This incredible organization has granted thousands of dollars to researchers and clinicians so that they can continue to make strides in the breast cancer arena. The American Cancer Society along with the National Cancer Institute is doing phenomenal work in all areas of cancer, especially in the areas of education to the public and raising funds for the eradication of all cancer. Avon Foundation generously donated International grants and sponsors events such as this so that we, as lay persons, can try to spread information to where it is needed in the world. The pharmaceutical companies who provide the drugs for cancer management are a major link in this association.

As the conference approaches it’s close on Monday, July 14, I have a very clear vision of why I was here representing the Bangkok Breast Cancer Support Group, when I was not so clear three days ago! As there is team work in any successful endeavor, there must be team work in conquering cancer and caring for the patient. Without the research, clinical trials, etc. there would be no understanding of this disease. Without the physician’s reliance on information from the clinicians, there would be nothing to deliver to the patient. Without the patient trying to learn and take responsibility for individual health, there is no communication with the physician. Advancement in cancer but most importantly the results we are able to see in longer lives is a result of ALL of us working together……and all taking part in this “cycle.” And now, the vision is to see this circle which has so benefited people all over the world but most directly those in the USA , grow bigger in circumference. There is no reason why all the information that is available to patients in the USA is less available to the patient in Asia. Currently, there seems to be lack of organizations to effectively focus on education, lack of funding to send talented clinicians, physicians , oncology nurses etc on a regular basis to continuing education seminars, and sometimes lack of communication or missing links in the clinician-physician-patient relationship. With appropriate funding, international sponsorships, and the establishment of a well managed cancer center in SE Asia, the patients would benefit from the same care available in other parts of the world. So, I think this was my purpose in being present at this event...... to create a vision that with the right teamwork, could become reality some day.”

In addendum, as a result of this seminar, much needed current print material and links will be provided to the BBCs for dissemination to BBCs volunteers who are continuing to build and support the Bangkok Breast Cancer Group and to all of present and future patients who come to the BBCs for help and support. The AACR conference was and first but hopefully just one of many to be attended by our group. In September, a chairperson of BBCs , Chrystal Cuddyre, and head of education , Khunying Finola Chatamra will be attending the Europa- Donna Breast Cancer meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark. The results of this will only continue to keep BBCs in the forefront of progressive learning for the benefit of the patient and model for others in Thailand.

Anyone with questions or responses can reach Connie at or by telephone in New York until end August at 315-369-2243

Regards,

Connie Larkin

July 13, 2003