Hope for prevention--perspective of the cancer advocate.

Abstract

Breast and prostate cancer survivors and advocates participated as panelists with scientists in an interactive panel discussion following 2 days of scientific presentations on "Estrogens as Endogenous Carcinogens in the Breast and Prostate." Advocates raised several issues of concern and questions related to the research presented. Concerns included the following: 1) a global fear of developing either breast or prostate cancer and recurrence from these tumors, 2) a specific fear that estrogen replacement therapy could enhance the development of new breast cancers and stimulate recurrence in breast cancer survivors, and 3) a concern that researchers examining minority communities should have sensitivity to the specific culture under study and an understanding of specific research issues that are relevant in those communities. The questions raised included the following: 1) What are the implications of resistance to antiestrogen therapies and what is the appropriate sequencing of hormone therapy for longer-term benefit? 2) Can one identify women and men at risk for cancer who do not have the usual risk factors? 3) Where does the development of blood or urine tests to screen for cancer currently stand? 4) Can research findings be translated into effective therapies more rapidly? 5) Can the status of this translational process be communicated to the public in a meaningful way by breaking down language barriers? 6) What means are available to develop more creative ways to fund pilot studies that do not require preliminary data and to create new funding mechanisms to respond to the needs of scientists, particularly those that work collaboratively from multiple institutions and multidisciplines? 7) How can the need for increased emphasis on and visibility for prostate cancer be communicated? Following the interactive dialogue, scientists and advocates suggested more collaborative research with sustained funding avenues, continued dialogue and collaboration between scientists and advocates, and more collaborative research groups like the Cancer Cube.