Era of Hope

The fifth Era of Hope meeting for the Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) was held on June 25-28, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Era of Hope Meeting is a forum for presenting research studies funded by the Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP). The meeting was organized around three major themes: (1) Risk and Prevention Across the Spectrum of Breast Cancer, (2) Breast Cancer Diagnosis - What's on the Horizon?, and (3) Managing Breast Cancer Across the Spectrum of Disease. Plenary sessions focused on emerging issues in breast cancer; symposia sessions spotlighted the research of over 216 BCRP-funded investigators; and poster sessions highlighted over 1200 BCRP-funded research projects. "Fostering Innovation", presented by Dr. Robert Wolcott of the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, provided insight into the nature and nurturing of innovation.

Over 1550 scientists, clinicians, breast cancer survivors and advocates, policy makers, and the general public from over 530 organizations came together to learn about advancements made since the BCRP's inception. Breast cancer survivor participation, a hallmark of the BCRP and the Era of Hope meeting, was tremendous. Over 200 breast cancer survivors from 120 organizations attended, 72 survivors were speakers, co-chairs or moderators of sessions, and 15 survivors presented abstracts. Breast cancer survivors challenged the status quo and conventional wisdom, and offered the patient and survivor perspective. This international meeting is a unique opportunity for experts in different fields and research areas to gather, share ideas, identify promising directions in breast cancer research, and develop collaborative relationships.

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