The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s (DBCC) 24th Annual Breast Cancer Update, BREAKING THE CODE: Advances in Vaccines and Treatments for Breast Cancer will be held virtually on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This free educational conference is open to the public as DBCC recognizes the importance of sharing the most up-to-date information about trending breast cancer topics which are featured at DBCC’s Annual Breast Cancer Update. 

DBCC’s Annual Breast Cancer Update began as a small scientific meeting to update physicians about the latest trends in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Each year the Breast Cancer Update features leading medical breast cancer panel experts and informational resources offering the latest developments in treatment and care to breast cancer survivors and their families, physicians, nurses, students, and allied health professionals. This year as a part of DBCC’s 24th Annual Breast Cancer Update the keynote speaker will be Keith L. Knutson, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Immunology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Director, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center’s Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program. His live presentation will be followed by a live question and answer session where attendees will have an opportunity to submit questions for review and live discussion. 

Dr. Knutson is internationally recognized in the field of cancer immunology. His research focuses on the immunology and immunotherapy of prevalent women’s cancer namely breast, ovarian, and lung cancers, both the basic immunobiology and clinical translation, including clinical trials. His contributions to science include clinical development and testing of tumor antigen-specific vaccines in patients with breast and ovarian cancers. He currently has 6 FDA-approved vaccine trials underway and is principal investigator of 3 Department of Defense grants and 1 NIH grant to test vaccines aimed at preventing recurrence of breast and ovarian cancer, including triple negative breast cancer for which there are no targeted therapies.

It is DBCC’s goal to have programming that empowers Delaware's communities in the fight against breast cancer. The Annual Breast Cancer Update allows us to bring nationally renowned speakers in the breast cancer field and provides the opportunity to educate the community about the innovative research, treatment, and programs that are available in Delaware.

The Keynote Session is followed by Session II Oncology Current Approaches featuring panel speakers: Karen Louie, DO, Ramya Varadarajan, MD, Stephanie L. Goff, MD, FACS, FSSO, and, Jennifer Sims-Mourtada, Ph.D.. Then Session III Surgical Current Approaches will be presented and discussed by panel speakers Renee Quarterman, MD, FACS, Nathalie Johnson, MD, FACS, and Tony Lee, MD, FACRO.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), there will be 1,010 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in Delaware in 2022, placing breast cancer as the #1 cancer to be diagnosed in Delaware this year. In addition, the ACS estimates that 160 people will ultimately lose their battle to breast cancer in Delaware during 2022. 

These numbers alone are a strong reminder of why our organization exists, and why we promote the importance of breast cancer screenings as early detection and treatment options are stronger the earlier cancer is detected. This learning activity was jointly planned and implemented by Corexcel and the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition. Corexcel will provide free continuing education credits to those who attend the conference in its entirety. Corexcel designates this activity for 4.0 Contact Hours and 0.4 Continuing Education Units.

To register for free or to learn more by visit: https://debreastcancer.org/breastcancerupdate