Era of Hope

Era of Hope research program abstracts are available on-line for the June 8-11, 2000 Meeting:

Additional information from the June 2000 Meeting

The Era of Hope Meeting for the DOD Breast Cancer Research Program was held June 8–11, 2000 at the Hilton Atlanta & Towers in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Era of Hope Meeting for the Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Research Program was a multidisciplinary meeting that provided scientists the means to share ideas with peers and a wide audience of stakeholders searching for new approaches for the prevention, detection, treatment, and enhanced quality of life in breast cancer. This was the second Era of Hope meeting; the first was held in November 1997. By providing a forum for dialogue among the Era of Hope attendees, the meeting series has led to potential collaborative efforts and innovative approaches to tackle difficult breast cancer research issues.

Research Highlights in the Media

• Impact of Breast Cancer on Quality of Life
• Computer Technology Helps Radiologists Spot Small Cancers
• Minimally Invasive Approaches Characterize Innovative Techniques for Early Detection and Treatment
• New Data Clarify Treatments and Family Support Needs of Young Women
• Vaccine Studies Demonstrate Promise of Immunotherapy
• Using the Body's Anticancer Defenses to Guide and Improve Breast Cancer Treatment

The meeting was organized around three unifying themes:

• Conversion of normal to malignant cells
• Impact of external factors on carcinogenesis and the neoplastic cell
• The role of the vasculature in breast cancer — a model for intervention and early detection

A mix of DOD Breast Cancer Research Program awardees and other renowned scientists, physicians, health care providers, and consumers (breast cancer survivors or others impacted by the disease) addressed these themes in a variety of sessions. Each session was designed to progress from basic science through translational research to the clinical perspective, as well as to address the impact of the research on the consumer.

Focused General Sessions and Poster Sessions highlighting the research funded by the DOD Breast Cancer Research Program were the heart of this meeting. A total of 133 DOD Breast Cancer Research Program grantees highlighted their most recent scientific accomplishments in the General Sessions, and 793 awardees submitted abstracts for the Poster Sessions. We encourage you to look through the Era of Hope 2000 Abstracts by using the search form located at the top of the page to gain an appreciation of the breadth and depth of the innovative research funded by the DOD Breast Cancer Research Program and to learn about advancements made since the inception of the program.

If you would like a copy of the proceedings from Era of Hope 2000, please forward request to: cdmrp.pa@amedd.army.mil.

If you would like audio cassette tape recordings of individual sessions, please contact ACTS, Inc., 14153 Clayton Road, Town & Country, MO 63017 or call toll free at 1-800-642-2287, fax 636-394-9381.