• Breast cancer is the second most deadly cancer in the U.S., after lung cancer. Breast cancer (and ovarian cancer) is more common among Ashkenazi Jewish women than among other women. Ashkenazi Jews are ten times more likely to have a BRCA gene mutation.

• In 2021, it is estimated that among women in the U.S., there will be more than 281,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer, 49,290 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (a non-invasive breast cancer), and 43,600 breast cancer deaths. Rates of breast cancer incidence and mortality are much lower among men than women: 1.3 cases per 100,000 and 0.3 deaths per 100,000.
  
•  Breast cancer treatment plans may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
  
• About one-third of all breast cancer cases are preventable by adopting healthy habits such as maintaining optimum weight, exercising, refraining from smoking and alcohol consumption. Simultaneously, breast exams, according to age-based guidelines and genetic history, are important in mitigating the disease.

Source: Susan G. Komen 

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ICRF Scientists Focused on
Breast Cancer Research

ICRF is currently supporting nine projects in the area of breast cancer research. Learn about a few of the newly-funded projects for 2021-2022 below:

Learn about other ICRF-funded scientists working on breast cancer research.

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ICRF Presents: Brilliant Minds Webinar Series

“Mind-Body Connection: How the Brain Affects Cancer Immunity”

In case you missed it, watch the recording of our 2020 “ICRF Presents: Brilliant Minds” webinar dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This episode looks at new breakthroughs in our understanding of how the mind-body connection mediates anti-tumor immunity, and how this may lead to an entirely new approach to treating breast and other cancers in the future. Featuring insights from breast cancer survivor Johanna (Jojo) Harris on how her outlook and approach to her diagnosis played a role in her experience battling the disease. ICRF-funded researcher Professor Asya Rolls, PhD (Technion, Israel Institute of Technology), an ICRF-Cancer Research Institute Immunotherapy Promise Grantee, delves into the groundbreaking emerging science behind the mind-body connection. Her laboratory has mapped physiological connections between the brain and the immune response to breast and lung cancer, using new tools developed by her lab. These connections show how someone’s psychological well-being may contribute to the fight against disease; or may diminish tumor immunity as a result of anxiety or stress. Her team is also now investigating whether pandemic-related stress reduces the ability of cancer patients to fight COVID-19. Moderated by Dr. David Hakimian (a Medical Oncologist and Hematologist and ICRF Chicago Board Member) and Dr. Nancy Maizels (Chair of the ICRF International Scientific Council and Scientific Review Panel).