BREAKTHROUGH - BC Cancer Foundation
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BREAKTHROUGH SPRING 2020
LIVING WITH
BREAST CANCER
“
DURING MOTHERHOOD
I’m hopeful for
more life-saving
+
treatment options
”
so I can be here
for my daughter.
—CARMEN HOU,
BC CANCER PATIENT
FIGHT INFLAMMATION
and Feel Energized
MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY IN
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES:
Transforming Care,
Improving Outcomes
WHAT’S FEATURES
INSIDE
11
3 Opening Thoughts BC Cancer’s Leukemia
4 Healthy Insights and Myeloma
6 Your Impact
Program aims to
uncover more
7 Inside the Clinic effective treatments
13 Quarterly Highlights for people in B.C.
15 Centre Spotlight
About the BC Cancer Foundation
The BC Cancer Foundation is the
fundraising partner of BC Cancer.
12
Together with our donors, we are Mobile mammography
changing the outcome for people serving Indigenous
affected by cancer in B.C. and beyond
by connecting personalized care,
communities seeks
innovative research and opportunities
to transform care and
to give back. We are the largest improve outcomes
charitable funder of cancer research
in B.C. and every dollar raised stays
right here at BC Cancer to advance
research, enhance care and break
down cancer.
14
New breakthrough
in diffuse large b-cell
lymphoma offers
@bccancerfdn eye-opening next steps
for targeted treatments
/BCCancerFoundation
bccancerfoundation.com
BC CANCER FOUNDATION
Directors 2020 BC Cancer Foundation
Kirsten Tisdale, chair Alice Laberge Editorial
Alex Blodgett Murray J. Leith Pauline Jeanneau
Michael Borden John McCarthy Hayley Judge
Neil Burns Benoit Morin Laura Matwichuk
Dr. Kim Chi Ju Ng Melissa Rottare
Lynda Farmer Rachel Thomas Provincial Office Charitable Business Number
Neil Farmer BC Cancer Foundation 150-686 West Broadway 11881 8434 RR0001
Geoffrey Glotman President & CEO Design Vancouver, BC V5Z 1G1
Michael C. Heskin Sarah Roth Hector Rivera 604.877.6040
Lana Kirk Natalie Young Toll Free 1.888.906.2873 bccancerfoundation.com
2 BREAK THROUGH
OPENING THOUGHTS
DRIVING INNOVATION:
DONORS ARE ESSENTIAL
that the BC Cancer Foundation
has partnered with the Terry Fox
Research Institute and other large
cancer centres and funding partners
under the newly created Marathon
of Hope Network, a pan-Canadian
network to accelerate the adoption of
precision medicine. This network is
an example of our community in B.C.
joining in a powerful collective on a
national stage to change outcomes
for all Canadians facing cancer.
The BC Cancer Foundation
continues to be a major funder of BC
Cancer’s Genome Sciences Centre
(GSC), which celebrated its 20th
anniversary last November. The team
at the GSC decodes the DNA structure
of individuals with the hardest to
treat cancers, bringing hope through
advanced technology, and scientific
and clinical collaboration. This is a
global movement and BC Cancer is
I am often asked about the numerous
cancer charities and what sets
the BC Cancer Foundation apart.
Carmen Hou. I’ve had the pleasure
to get to know Carmen and I’m
so inspired and humbled by her
a leader—there is no other facility in
Canada like the GSC.
These examples of innovation
I’m proud to say that every dollar strength as she faces metastatic and impact simply could not happen
donated by generous people like breast cancer so early in motherhood. without your generous support.
you goes directly to finding more Carmen has accessed the full Thanks to you, BC Cancer won’t
curative therapies and ensuring spectrum of research and care at stop driving innovation and saving
British Columbians facing a cancer BC Cancer – Vancouver, from art lives.
diagnosis receive the best care therapy and patient support groups
possible. to chemotherapy, radiation and a
Your generosity translates life-changing clinical trial. Donors
into immediate impact, in your are impacting the patient journey in
community, helping to drive so many ways, giving patients like
innovation and save lives now. We Carmen precious time with their
are proudly the largest charitable families. You can read more about
supporter of cancer in our province, her story on page 8. Sarah Roth, President & CEO
and among the largest in Canada, Our donors are also enabling BC Cancer Foundation
and we won’t stop until cancer stops. clinicians and scientists to push the
On the cover of this issue is a envelope, driving innovation across
beautiful family—Daniel, Evelyn and borders. We are so pleased to share
B CC A N C E R FO U N DAT I O N .CO M 3
HEALTHY INSIGHTS
AN EPIC BIKE TREK
FOLLOWED BY A
LIFE-CHANGING
DIAGNOSIS
Geoff Livingston
I n the summer of 2018 Geoff
Livingston conquered an enormous
goal of riding his bike from Banff,
sent him for an ultrasound.
Geoff was shocked when he
learned the results: he had a tumour
British Columbians facing a similar
situation.
“Fundraising for cancer research
Alberta all the way to Mexico—an in his kidney and there was a good can help solve this disease,” he says.
astounding 4,350 kilometres. chance it was cancer. “Not only is money going toward
“At the time, it was what I thought “Hearing the word ‘cancer’ is cancer research to be able to fight
would be the biggest challenge of my something you don’t expect,” says this thing, but there’s also funding
life,” he says. “But it didn’t compare the 33 year old. “That was definitely that supports prevention and what
to what I had to face when I returned tough.” can cause cancer from the get-go.”
home.” He soon underwent surgery that Geoff hopes sharing his story will
removed half of his kidney as well help inspire others, and it’s also a
“I’ve handled the as the tumour. The next day Geoff’s very personal reminder of what he’s
thought of cancer, doctor told him the surgery was conquered.
a success and there was now no “It feels like a weight has been
the thought of evidence of cancer. lifted off my shoulders, that whatever
dying, surgery, “I was very fortunate with finding comes at me now, I can handle it,”
biking across North it when and how I did—there were no he says. “I’ve handled the thought of
America—bring it on.” signs of any spreading and all signs cancer, the thought of dying, surgery,
—GEOFF LIVINGSTON looked positive after the successful biking across North America—bring
surgery,” Geoff says. it on.”
After putting his body through Now fully recovered from his
such a demanding trek, Geoff visited surgery, Geoff has set his sights on
his doctor once he returned to get another fitness-related challenge—
checked out physically. taking part in the BC Cancer
“I wanted to make sure I was all Foundation’s Workout to Conquer
good after the ride, as I had put my Cancer, where he’s committed to
body through a test that it had never move 31 days straight for the month
taken on before,” he says. of May in support of breakthrough
Although he was in the best cancer research and care. To learn more or to
physical fitness of his life at the time, By fundraising for a cause he’s register, please visit
Geoff had developed a bit of pain in so closely connected to, Geoff workouttoconquercancer.ca
his lower left abdomen. His doctor wants to help change the story for
4 BREAK THROUGH
FIGHT
INFLAMMATION
AND FEEL
ENERGIZED
B C Cancer Foundation’s Workout
to Conquer Cancer kicks off
May 1st and we’ve partnered with
international keynote speaker and
health expert Mandy Gill, who shares
her nutrition expertise on how you
can use diet to boost your immune
system, feel energized and fight
inflammation:
LEAFY GREENS
Kale, spinach and arugula are packed
with fibre and phytonutrients;
they’re also high in calcium and
vitamins A, C and K. This means in
addition to getting anti-inflammatory
benefits, the antioxidants may lower
your cholesterol and boost joint and
bone health too. An extra bonus with
Vitamin K is that studies are showing Mandy Gill
it may also ease pain.
GINGER, TURMERIC, magnesium and probiotics; the minimizing your consumption of
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR ability to balance your body’s pH foods that trigger inflammation—
Ginger has a main bioactive levels; and serves as a liver and such as sugar and high-fructose corn
compound in it called gingerol, lymphatic tonic to detoxify your body. syrup, processed meats, artificial
which is responsible for much trans fats and excessive alcohol
of its medicinal properties. It’s BLUEBERRIES & PINEAPPLE intake, to list a few.
considered a ‘superfood’ due to its Blueberries contain quercetin—a
powerful anti-inflammatory and powerful antioxidant that helps fight
antioxidant benefits. Turmeric’s inflammation. And pineapples are Mandy Gill is an international
most active compound, curcum, loaded with bromelain—a digestive keynote speaker, plant-based
not only benefits the body, but the enzyme that helps regulate your super athlete, TV/radio
brain too. Turmeric is best taken body’s immune response so that personality and health expert
through pill form due to the higher it doesn’t react with unnecessary passionate about connecting
concentration it contains, and is best inflammation. with others to educate healthy
absorbed when combined with black habit practices. Learn more at
pepper. Apple cider vinegar has FOODS TO AVOID
www.mandygill.com
healing properties from potassium, Keep inflammation down by
B CC A N C E R FO U N DAT I O N .CO M 5
YOUR IMPACT
Ray of Hope cheque
presentation
A FAMILY’S PLEDGE TO
CHANGE CANCER OUTCOMES
I n 2017, the Sandhu family received
a cancer diagnosis that would leave
a lasting impact on the community
was matched by long-time BC Cancer
Foundation supporters, the McCarthy
family, to fund urgent needs for
dollars will stay here in the province
to help those going through treatment
across our communities,” says
and beyond. Soon after receiving this patients around the province. Davinder. “We had no idea where
news that husband and wife Amarjit Inspired by the overwhelming the gala would take us, but we have
and Davinder Sandhu pledged to show of support, the Sandhus hosted seen an outpouring of support from
personally make a difference for the gala for the second time in our friends, family and business
people facing a similar challenge. October 2019, welcoming an even community who all believe in this
“When someone’s life is touched by greater guest list of over 550 and incredible cause.”
cancer, their entire world stops but raising an outstanding $231,000 The Sandhu’s gala is a reminder
the world outside continues,” says thanks to a generous match by that every action, no matter its size,
Davinder. “You only realize the true leaders in B.C.’s mining community. has the potential to make a profound
impact cancer has when it comes to “The purpose of the gala isn’t only to impact for others facing cancer in
your door.” raise money to help cancer patients, communities around the province.
Less than two years later, Amarjit but it’s a platform to raise awareness
and Davinder set the wheels in and encourage open discussion about
motion for a grassroots event that something that affects each and every
would welcome members of their one of us,” says Davinder. “We are
personal and professional networks. deeply grateful for everyone who had To learn more about
In 2018, the Unite Against Cancer Gala, a hand in the success of these events.” organizing your own event,
organized by the family’s Ray of Hope The Sandhus have no intention visit bccancerfoundation.com,
Charitable Society, welcomed 450 of slowing down, with plans already or contact Rachel Mitchell
guests and raised more than $150,000 underway for the 2020 Unite Against at 604.851.4736 or
for cancer research and care in Cancer Gala. “We chose BC Cancer rmitchell@bccancer.bc.ca
British Columbia. Their generous gift Foundation because we know our
6 BREAK THROUGH
INSIDE THE CLINIC
“I am passionate about finding MORE ABOUT DEVIN:
ways to improve the outcome and
quality of life for all of my patients.” Favourite food: Indian—I love
a good spicy dish!
Favourite activity: Attending
MEET DR. DEVIN extracurricular activities with
SCHELLENBERG my kids.
Fun fact: I put myself through
medical school as a juggler.
Luckily for me, this was before
smartphones with cameras
existed.
D r. Devin Schellenberg is the
Department Head of Radiation
Oncology at BC Cancer – Surrey.
metastatic disease, referred to as
oligometastatic patients (five or less
sites of metastases). Our research BREAKTHROUGH: What excites
His work involves planning and looks into aggressively radiating up to you for the future of radiation
executing radiation treatments for five sites of metastases, in an effort to oncology?
patients, mainly those suffering with help people live longer free of cancer DEVIN: The prospect of change and
lung and gastrointestinal cancers. and avoid other cancer treatments the technological innovations are
Dr. Schellenberg is at the forefront such as chemotherapy. This area of what truly excite me. I also am excited
of improving existing treatments research originally paved the way about our ability to bring new and
and finding new, more effective for the Canadian-led Comprehensive innovative therapies to a greater
treatments for patients across the treatment of OligoMetastases number of people in our province.
province. (COMET) trial. As our work in radiation oncology
Last year, the COMET trial was extends to more areas, including
“Through these trials, we are featured in the esteemed medical stereotactic brain radiation in Surrey,
investigating the possibility journal, The Lancet, and demonstrated I look forward to delivering more
that stereotactic radiation to treatments to more people in British
of curing people who were
metastases may allow patients to Columbia.
once thought incurable.” live longer, though confirmatory
—DR. DEVIN SCHELLENBERG research is needed. Thus, COMET has BREAKTHROUGH: How are
paved the way for two trials currently BC Cancer Foundation donors
BREAKTHROUGH: How did you underway known as COMET 3 (three supporting your work?
come into this line of work? sites of metastases) and COMET 10 DEVIN: Donors help to advance
DEVIN: I attended medical school (ten sites of metastases). The COMET 3 radiation oncology research, but also
at UBC followed by a residency at trial, led by BC Cancer’s Dr. Rob Olsen, have a massive impact on the types
the University of Toronto. After my recently opened at BC Cancer – Prince of technologies that are available
residency, I did a year-long fellowship George, and will soon be adopted to patients being used in real time.
at Stanford University near San across BC Cancer centres. COMET Increased Foundation support will
Francisco, where my research focused 10 will start its rollout across centres also allow our teams to explore new
on Stereotactic Body Radiation. I was in the coming months. Through avenues for trials and treatments that
attracted to radiation mainly because these trials, we are investigating the will have life-saving implications for
of my interest in technology and the possibility of curing people who many years to come.
challenge of ever-changing cancer were once thought incurable. For
treatment options. other patients, there may be lasting
effects to their quality of life and a To learn how you can support
BREAKTHROUGH: What exciting reduction in other treatments. We are clinical trials and crucial
research at BC Cancer, visit us
research updates can you share extremely proud that BC Cancer is at
at bccancerfoundation.com
with us? the forefront of developing the trials, or contact Andrea Woo at
DEVIN: For the last ten years, we enrolling patients and capturing the andrea.woo@bccancer.bc.ca or
have been developing treatments outcomes. 604.930.4078
for patients with small amounts of
B CC A N C E R FO U N DAT I O N .CO M 7
A YOUNG MOTHER’S STORY:
facing Stage IV
breast cancer at
35
Carmen Hou with
daughter Evelyn
8 BREAK THROUGH
C armen Hou is a vibrant 35-year-
old mother to four-year-old
Evelyn. Inseparable, the pair loves
“Looking to the
future of cancer
really changed my perspective and I
want to make the most out of my life
and what’s important.”
visiting the Bloedel Conservatory
in Vancouver to bask in nature and
research and care, Today, Carmen takes things day
by day, relying on faith, family and
warm up on a rainy day. They love I’m very hopeful friends. She’s also made a promise to
to giggle and hold hands while they
jauntily walk by many species of
for a cure.” herself to travel somewhere new with
her family every month.
—CARMEN HOU, PATIENT
exotic plants and birds. To date, the Hous have travelled
But Carmen is facing what any Ribociclib. She was also admitted to Tokyo, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Croatia,
young mother may call her worst into BC Cancer’s Personalized Italy and Morocco. They hope to go
nightmare. Onco-Genomics (POG) Program to Egypt this spring.
In January 2016, six months where scientists sequenced her DNA
after Carmen gave birth to Evelyn, to match her to the best treatment NEW SINGLE-CELL
she noticed two tiny lumps on possible for her cancer. METHODOLOGY BRINGS
her left breast. At first she and Today, Carmen has passed the IMMENSE HOPE
her husband Daniel, a radiologist, two-year mark of being on the trial “Looking to the future of cancer
thought the lumps may be related to medication. Her cancer is stable, but research and care, I’m very hopeful
breastfeeding. she has been told by her doctors that for a cure,” says Carmen.
An ultrasound suggested it was many patients on the trial quickly In November 2019, BC Cancer
nothing but by the following winter, decline around this time in their scientists, in partnership with the
the lumps had grown larger and treatment plan. University of British Columbia,
Carmen was feeling tiny shocks in To help with her healing, Carmen Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
her chest. She returned to the doctor joined an art therapy group at BC Center and Microsoft, developed a
and this time tests confirmed she Cancer that has provided her with new method for analyzing cancer
was facing Stage III breast cancer. immense support and new friends. tissue, allowing them to delve
“I’ll never forget that day,” says BC Cancer centres each offer a deeper into cancer than previously
Carmen. range of services including nutrition, possible. Researchers can now read
Further tests revealed that patient and family counselling and the genomes of single cells within
her tumour had grown to five many types of support groups like art a tumour, opening up a new wave
centimetres and there was also a therapy and more. of understanding of how and why
blemish on her spine. The cancer “It’s been a great outlet for my cancer develops and changes over
had spread, which escalated her healing journey. I never really did art time.
diagnosis to Stage IV. except for grade school and this has This advance comes nearly a
“I called my husband right away opened up a side of me that’s really
and we both started crying. We were calming and peaceful,” she reveals.
at a loss for words.” “I’ve also met some lovely friends
through the group that have been
FULL SPECTRUM OF such a huge part of my journey.”
TREATMENT & CARE
Roughly a month after her diagnosis, FINDING STRENGTH & OPTIMISM
Carmen began chemotherapy One in eight Canadian women
treatment. She went on to have a develop breast cancer in their
mastectomy of her left breast where lifetime. Carmen’s cancer is not
surgeons removed 20 lymph nodes, hereditary and she does not carry a
10 of which were cancerous. The gene mutation. In addition, breast
cancer remained and was active in cancer most commonly occurs in Dr. Samuel Aparicio, distinguished
three out of the four quadrants of her women aged 50 to 69 years old, so scientist, BC Cancer
breast, which unfortunately meant Carmen’ case is considered rare and
that the chemotherapy may not have hard to treat.
been effective. “Because of my late stage decade after Dr. Samuel Aparicio,
Her treatment was then followed diagnosis, I don’t know what the BC Cancer distinguished scientist
by surgery, two types of precision future holds for us or how much time and Dr. Sohrab Shah, BC Cancer
radiation and a drug trial, called I have on this earth,” she says. “It’s scientist and current chief of
B CC A N C E R FO U N DAT I O N .CO M 9
monitoring cancer.
This new method is so sensitive
that researchers will now be able to
analyze single cells from a tissue, and
decode their genomes individually.
The method will unlock the answers
to crucial questions about the origins
of cancer, why cancers evolve, why
they become resistant to drugs and
why they metastasize. This research
will also be a key pathway to cancer
prevention, understanding the root
environmental causes of the disease.
“The ways in which the cells
differ from each other turns out to
be important for understanding why
they stop responding to treatments,”
says Dr. Aparicio. “It also tells us
something about the history of the
computational oncology at Memorial sequence of a metastatic lobular cancer; how it developed, how long
Sloan Kettering and their team’s breast cancer tumour, a type of it’s been inside healthy tissue, and
first foundational shift in decoding breast cancer which accounts how long it’s been growing.
cancer. They developed the ability to for about 10 per cent of all breast This single-cell methodology will
sequence human cancer genomes, cancers, finding all of the mutations benefit breast cancer patients like
which opened up a new era in or “spelling mistakes” that cause the Carmen, as well as people with many
understanding cancer and has since cancer to spread. other cancer types by unlocking
been transformational in the field. In the last ten years, cancer questions about individual cancers
Dr. Aparicio’s team is also genomics findings have sparked and the best course of treatment.
responsible for decoding all of the new drug treatments and new ways
three billion letters in the DNA of diagnosing cancer and
BREAKING DOWN WOMEN’S CANCERS:
THE TIME IS NOW
This year, one of the BC Cancer Foundation’s priorities is breaking
down women’s cancers for the 5,545 British Columbians who will
be diagnosed with breast or gynecologic cancers in 2020. Our
annual Inspiration Gala and Discovery Luncheon signature events
will both support this cause.
With donor support, BC Cancer has led the world in breaking
down breast cancers by every letter of DNA. We’ve implemented
the first prevention method to stop ovarian cancer in up to half
of all women and we’re leading the charge in bringing innovative
new therapies to cure more women through precision medicine.
However, now is our time to act. We are on the cusp of changing
outcomes for women in British Columbia. And the key? You.
You can help change outcomes for patients
facing cancer, like Carmen.
To learn more or to donate, please visit
www.bccancerfoundation.com
10 B R E A K T H R O U G HBC CANCER’S LEUKEMIA AND
MYELOMA PROGRAM (LaMP):
UNCOVERING
MORE EFFECTIVE
TREATMENTS FOR
PEOPLE IN B.C.
Drs. Weng, Karsan
and Kuchenbauer
B C Cancer has launched a new acute lymphoblastic leukemia, frequent cause of death in people
Leukemia and Myeloma Program known as T-ALL is often aggressive with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
(LaMP), thanks to support from BC and progresses quickly. BC Cancer Distinguished Scientist
Cancer Foundation donors, which BC Cancer Distinguished Scientist Dr. Aly Karsan and his colleagues
seeks to uncover more effective Dr. Andrew Weng and his team are hoping to uncover the genomic
diagnostic and treatment solutions discovered that while adult and factors that cause relapse in order
for people affected by blood cancers. childhood leukemia cells are similar, to target them with customized
both can be re-programmed to a therapies.
REVOLUTIONIZING MULTIPLE state in which the leukemia stem “We just launched a project
MYELOMA TREATMENT cells exhaust themselves, resulting to define what causes resistance
Although survival has doubled in the disappearance of disease. and find ways to overcome this
since 1975, five-year net survival for “We believe a new class of drugs resistance,” says Dr. Karsan. “By
multiple myeloma is only 44 per cent may improve outcomes for people creating AML models in the lab, we
in Canada. facing T-ALL who fail conventional hope to find new ways to target
BC Cancer Clinician Scientist therapies,” says Dr. Weng. leukemia that will spare healthy cells
Dr. Florian Kuchenbauer and his Dr. Weng’s lab has devised a way and give people a better chance at
team are hoping to increase survival to create synthetic models of T-ALL survival.”
rates by developing disease models in the lab. He explains that “Because Scientist Dr. Ly Vu is a new
to study the effects of various drugs. these models carry only a specified recruit to BC Cancer and LaMP from
“Our goal is to better understand the set of gene mutations, they provide Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
evolution of myeloma, especially a ‘clean slate’ for uncovering new Center in New York. Her research
high-risk myeloma and how it information about the disease.” program focuses on understanding
becomes resistant to treatment,” Dr. regulation of stem cells in the
Kuchenbauer explains. “We plan to IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR development of blood diseases.
test and combine drugs in new ways ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA “Our goal is to develop innovative
and eventually launch clinical trials Relapse following chemotherapy or therapies to target leukemia stem
to give more choices to patients.” stem cell transplantation is the most cells and treat leukemia,” says Dr. Vu.
UNDERSTANDING THE BIOLOGY
OF BLOOD CANCERS To learn more about groundbreaking blood cancer
Pediatric leukemia patients have research, please contact Elissa Morrissette at
significantly better outcomes than 604.707.5992 or elissa.morrissette@bccancer.bc.ca
their adult counterparts, but T-cell
B CC A N C E R FO U N DAT I O N .CO M 11TRANSFORMING Johnna Sparrow Crawford
CARE, IMPROVING
OUTCOMES:
MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY
SERVING INDIGENOUS
COMMUNITIES IN B.C.
“H aving BC Cancer’s mobile mammography service
come to my community was a game-changer and
“
a life-saver,” says Johnna Sparrow Crawford, whose
mammogram led to a diagnosis of breast cancer. Without the mobile mammography service,
“I had been having a busy day, but a nurse who was
working with the mobile mammography service said to
I know even more time could have gone by.
”
me ‘I’ve got you scheduled, you’re getting this done.’ And Now the mammogram program is a part of
she really was my guardian angel because I got a phone my yearly caregiving.
call from my doctor saying that I needed to come in to have —JOHNNA SPARROW CRAWFORD, PATIENT
another test done. When I got to BC Women’s they wanted
to do a biopsy right away.” Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, BC Cancer
Johnna, who lives on the Musqueam Reserve in has recently developed an Indigenous Cancer Strategy
Vancouver, was diagnosed with breast cancer and which identifies several priority areas for improving access,
underwent surgery and radiation therapy. “When you’re utilization and quality of cancer care services.
walking through your daily life and you’re preoccupied BC Cancer’s mobile mammography service currently
or busy or maybe just don’t want to deal with your health, visits more than 170 rural communities across B.C. each
things can go wrong,” she says. year, including more than 40 First Nations communities.
“At the time, I had a very aging, frail mother who I was The service performs approximately 10 per cent of all
caring for and I missed my mammogram for two years. screening mammograms in the province via three mobile
Time went by so quickly that I didn’t think about taking screening units. Expanding this service to reach even more
care of myself. Without the mobile mammography service, Indigenous communities is high on the priority list.
I know even more time could have gone by. Now the “I was just truly grateful for our community offering
mammogram program is a part of my yearly caregiving.” this program. Had I not done it, I don’t know where I’d be
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among right now,” says Johnna. “I learned a lot about cancer and
women—more than 3,700 British Columbians will be my experience at BC Cancer was fantastic. People were
diagnosed this year alone. Mammograms are the first line gentle and kind and every time the radiation machine came
of defense against breast cancer, providing early diagnosis down I closed my eyes and said ‘thank you.’ I was grateful
which allows less toxic treatment and better outcomes. BC and my body listened.”
Cancer’s Breast Screening Program provides free, regular Johnna is now six years cancer-free: “I think everybody
screening mammograms for women ages 40-74. who is a survivor would say the same thing: you learn
Thanks to excellence in treatment and screening at things about yourself that you didn’t know before. I think
BC Cancer, B.C. currently has among the lowest mortality we spend too much of our time focused on worry, fear and
rates for breast cancer and the best survival rate after doubt and you have to turn that around. We can choose
diagnosis in Canada. “Access to and awareness of screening to let cancer control us or we can choose to turn our lives
is essential to achieving equally good outcomes in all around as a result of it.”
demographics and geographic regions, particularly for
Indigenous women, who currently have poorer survival
than the rest of the population,” explains Warren Clarmont, To learn more and to support this program
director of Indigenous Cancer Control at BC Cancer. please contact Lindsay Abbott at 604.675.8015
Through engagement with the First Nations Health or lindsay.abbott@bccancer.bc.ca
Authority, Métis Nation British Columbia and BC
12 B R E A K T H R O U G HQUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS
Personalized cancer care received a
major boost as the Inspiration Gala raised
$ 3MILLION and the Discovery
Luncheon raised
$370,000 in support of genomics.
An urgently-needed MASS Jingle Mingle raised
SPECTROMETER is on its way to BC $650,000 to help
Cancer to ACCELERATE RESEARCH launch an INNOVATIVE
AND IMPROVE TREATMENT thanks to THERAPIES UNIT at BC
thousands of donors and a generous Cancer – Victoria, which
matching gift from mining community will greatly increase
leaders who helped reach a $2 patient access to STATE-
MILLION FUNDRAISING GOAL. OF-THE-ART TREATMENT.
BC CANCER SCIENTISTS, The 25th annual Miss
in partnership with the University of British Chinese Vancouver
Columbia, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Pageant Gala Dinner
Center and Microsoft, developed raised $460,000 TO
A NEW METHOD FOR BRING SURFACE-
ANALYZING CANCER TISSUE, GUIDED RADIATION
allowing them to learn more about EQUIPMENT to BC
cancer than previously possible. Cancer – Vancouver.
BC Cancer researchers discovered KEY
INFORMATION about how HODGKIN LYMPHOMA
CELLS are able to grow undetected within the
body by examining how they interact within the
COMPLETE TUMOUR ENVIRONMENT. The findings
were published in Cancer Discovery.
B CC A N C E R FO U N DAT I O N .CO M 13TMEM30A:
Drs. Christian Steidl
and Shannon Healy,
BC Cancer
A GENE TO
EXPLOIT IN THE
QUEST FOR
MORE CURES
A NEW BREAKTHROUGH
IN DIFFUSE LARGE B-CELL
LYMPHOMA OFFERS EYE-
OPENING NEXT STEPS IN
THE FUTURE OF BREAKING
DOWN CANCER CELLS
M eet TMEM30A: a gene
harbouring critical—and
exploitable—abnormalities recently
FACT
TMEM30A is a gene that
discovered by BC Cancer scientists encodes protein in every
Shannon Healy, David Scott and the cell membrane, allowing more cell. The mutations are
Christian Steidl. It’s playing two chemotherapy uptake, which is more only found in diffuse
interesting roles in the most common effective for the patient.” large B-cell lymphoma.
blood cancer, diffuse large B-cell The second critical feature of
lymphoma. TMEM30A is that it attracts scavenger
The BC Cancer team has linked cells from the person’s immune
to exploit vulnerability in cancer cells.
the gene’s new-found behaviours to system to find the cancer and “eat”
The cancer has figured out a way
patients who have positive outcomes— the cancer cells. This feature is
to be more dangerous but now we
an anomaly as gene mutations are incredibly important in the new
have figured those cells out and have
typically linked to poor outcomes. treatment era of immunotherapy.
learned about their vulnerabilities.
“I am very excited to uncover “This opens up our global
It’s time to find the right target.
and present a mechanism that is understanding of the biology at
Drs. Healy and Steidl are moving
very unique in scope, and allows play in cancers with TMEM30A and
ahead into drug development, looking
for a new targetable element in why patients with this gene have
to inhibit the TMEM30A process
chemotherapeutic design,” says Dr. better outcomes. If we can enhance
so they can sensitize cells to make
Shannon Healy, research associate, immunotherapies that are dependent
treatment more effective, potentially
BC Cancer, and lead author on on activating immune scavenger cells
across all cancers.
the paper. to finish the job eradicating cancer
that would also be a good thing for all
WHAT MAKES TMEM30A cancers, not only for lymphoma,” says
DIFFERENT? Dr. Healy.
Dr. Steidl, senior scientist and
research director of BC Cancer’s POTENTIAL IMPACT To learn more about how you can
Centre for Lymphoid Cancer This is one of the first studies in the support world-leading lymphoma
explains: “In order to work, drugs world to link a gene mutation to research, please contact Elissa
like standard chemotherapy need to changes in membrane biology that Morrissette at 604.707.5992 or
absorb into the cancer cells. When can be exploited by drug therapies. elissa.morrissette@bccancer.bc.ca
TMEM30A is mutated, it’s impacting We now have insight that can allow us
14 B R E A K T H R O U G HCENTRE SPOTLIGHT
Bob Charron,
patient at BC
Cancer, with his
grandson
in several areas of brachytherapy
that will have a significant impact on
patient outcomes,” says Dr. Crook.
There are many benefits to
brachytherapy as opposed to
other types of radiation treatment,
according to Dr. Ross Halperin,
executive medical director, BC Cancer
– Kelowna.
“With brachytherapy, the
radioactive sources are placed directly
where the tumour is so the radiation
doesn’t have to travel through the
body to get to the tumour target,” he
says. “This allows us to deliver a lot
more radiation treatment safely to
the tumour while protecting the body
from the harms of radiation treatment
in the normal tissues.”
Dr. Halperin says brachytherapy
has a long track record of success in
prostate cancer and more recently in
IMPROVING THE STANDARD OF CARE THROUGH women’s gynecologic cancers, such as
BRACHYTHERAPY
cervical cancer, and is also currently
being developed for the treatment of
breast cancers.
To continue to propel leading-edge
innovation in brachytherapy at BC
W hen Bob Charron retired at 58 The treatment worked very Cancer – Kelowna, the Foundation
after a 35-year career in the quickly and his tests showed a has embarked on a $3.5 million
RCMP, he had big plans for the next dramatic response. Bob’s retirement fundraising initiative to establish a
chapter in his life. He couldn’t wait to plans soon got back on track—he and chair in brachytherapy at the centre,
spend more time with his wife, kids his wife even enjoyed a month-long to ensure patients in the Interior
and grandson. trip to Belize. continue to have access to world-class
Unfortunately, only a few short “I’m living proof that innovations care.
months after he retired, his plans in cancer research and care can save “More than 70 per cent of the
were stopped in their tracks: Bob lives,” Bob says. “I am so grateful for patients our oncologists treat are
was diagnosed with Stage 2B prostate the incredible treatment I received at from communities like Cranbrook,
cancer. BC Cancer.” Invermere, Nelson, Vernon and
His oncologist at BC Cancer - Brachytherapy is revolutionizing Kamloops and they benefit from
Kelowna, Dr. Juanita Crook, is radiation treatment and saving lives, faster treatments and less time away
a world-leading researcher in just like Bob’s. from their homes and families,” says
the area of brachytherapy and “We’re making incredible strides Dr. Halperin.
quickly identified that Bob was a
prime candidate for the innovative
treatment. MAKE A DIFFERENCE: To learn how you can help establish
Bob would have a tiny radioactive a chair in brachytherapy, contact Pardeep Khrod at
seed implanted in a single session
1.250.878.5490 or pardeep.khrod@bccancer.bc.ca
and avoid up to five weeks of daily
radiation treatments using beams.
B CC A N C E R FO U N DAT I O N .CO M 15AUGUST 29-30, 2020
TOGETHER, WE RIDE FOR HOPE. This August, The Ride to Conquer Cancer® presented by
Wheaton Precious Metals™ will bring together thousands of Riders, raising money for the BC Cancer
Foundation, funding research projects that lead to new treatment options. Join us for another historic
year of change!
PRESENTED BY
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