Metastatic Breast Cancer Program

from the 2021-2022 Virtual Series

Patients with metastatic breast cancer and their loved ones gathered virtually in 2021 and 2022 for a series of online events focused on education, support, and companionship. Below are some highlights from the annual forum series, directed by Nancy Lin, MD, and sponsored by Dana-Farber's Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers and EMBRACE (Ending Metastatic Breast Cancer for Everyone).

Nancy Lin, MD, and Eric P. Winer, MD, welcome patients and caregivers to the EMBRACE Metastatic Breast Cancer Forum and discuss new developments and promising areas of research in metastatic breast cancer at Dana-Farber and beyond. Recorded October 23, 2021.

Daniel Abravanel, MD, PhD; Erica Mayer, MD, MPH; and Elahe Salehi, DNP , discuss advances in research and treatment for patients with ER-positive metastatic breast cancer. Recorded October 23, 2021.

Heather Parsons, MD, MPH; Ian Krop, MD, PhD; and Christine Agius, NP, discuss advances in research and treatment for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Recorded October 23, 2021.

Filipa Lynce, MD, and  Sara Tolaney, MD, MPH, discuss advances in research and treatment for patients with triple negative metastatic breast cancer. Recorded October 23, 2021.

Rachel Freedman, MD, MPH, Elizabeth Farrell, LICSW, and patient Barbara Soto discuss the unique issues and treatment considerations older patients face when they are living with metastatic breast cancer. Recorded October 29, 2021.

Nancy Lin, MD, moderates a multidisciplinary expert panel, including Ayal Aizer, MD, MHS, radiation oncologist; Wenya Linda Bi, MD, PhD, neurosurgeon; Ugonma Chukwueke, MD, MPH, neuro-oncologist; and Lianne Kraemer, a patient advocate living with breast cancer brain metastasis. Recorded November 16, 2021.

Adrienne Waks, MD, provides an overview of breast cancer clinical trials, how they work, and how to find and evaluate clinical trials that might be right for you. Dr. Waks is joined by two patients who discuss their experience with breast cancer clinical trials and what they would like other patients to know. Recorded December 1, 2021.

Caroline Block, MD, presents practical information on how Dana-Farber oncologists follow patients’ disease progression and work with patients living with metastatic breast cancer to make treatment decisions. Dr. Block covers topics such as scans, blood tests, and tumor markers: when, why, and how they are used and the frequencies for each. The discussion includes areas of research that  include circulating tumor DNA based assays. Recorded December 15, 2021.

Hal Burstein, MD, PhD, presents an update on treatment and research for metastatic breast cancer from the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. He discusses clinical trials leading to practice changes, as well as promising areas of research, followed by a Q & A session. Recorded January 21, 2022.

Sharon Bober, PhD, founder and director of Dana-Farber's Sexual Health Program, discusses practical strategies to manage the sexual side effects and psychological challenges faced by many patients living with MBC. She addresses biological and psychological factors that impact sexual health and intimate relationships, and provides ideas for developing an action plan to address common problems. Printable resources related to this presentation include:

• Sexual Health for Women
• Vaginal Dryness Information

Recorded February 9, 2022.

Otto Metzger, MD, discusses treatment and research for patients living with metastatic lobular breast cancer, including the latest updates from the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The session is moderated by Laurie Hutcheson, executive director of the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance. Recorded March 29, 2022.