MARP 2023: Yvonne and Hannah
Breast Cancer Research: A Match Made by MARP
Yvonne Florence, Advocate and Hannah Chang, Researcher
On August 28-30, 2023 the Theresa Foundation hosted their Annual Metastatic Breast Cancer Research Conference (MBCRC) and celebrated their 10th Anniversary at The Chateaux in Deer Valley, Utah. As in the past, the MBCRC brought together researchers, scientists, clinicians, trainees and advocates for presentations, poster sessions to highlight the importance and urgency of ongoing and upcoming research for individuals impacted by Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC). A special feature of this year’s conference was the Advocate Researcher Program (MARP); a program that specifically focuses on partnerships between researchers and patient advocates. Dr. Hannah Chang and Yvonne McLean Florence were amongst the 21 researchers and advocates who were matched in hopes of forming such a partnership.
As the MBCRC got underway, Dr. Chang and Yvonne had several opportunities throughout to get to know and learn about one another. Interestingly, while their passion for breast cancer research may be the result of different reasons both their passions led them on a path in support of individuals diagnosed and living with MBC.
Dr. Hannah Chang, a 3rd year Medical Oncology Fellow at UT Southwestern Medical School is working with her mentor Dr. Isaac Chan and his team in his lab. Her research interests are focused on improving outcomes of high-risk breast cancer patients through novel therapies and biomarker development. Her journey to discovery has led her to use a comprehensive database, the Dallas Metastatic Breast Cancer Study (DMBCS) to formulate hypotheses regarding high-risk patients. From there, she has turned to the laboratory to understand the mechanisms behind diverse patient outcomes to various therapies while gaining profound insight into the unique cancer biology of these patients. To highlight her research, she presented a poster at the MBCRC entitled “A Retrospective Cohort Study on the Impact of Therapy on Sites of Metastases in Triple Negative Breast Cancer.”
Yvonne McLean Florence was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and is currently living with “no evidence of disease.” As the former President/Founder of Sisters R Us Circle of Survivors, a non–profit established to support women impacted by a diagnosis of breast cancer she was very active in the breast cancer community. After an encounter with two women; both diagnosed with MBC she became an ally for the MBC community and eventually involved with patient advocacy. As an advocate, she participated in the AACR – Scientists and Survivors Disparities Conference and graduated from the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s Project Lead Program, where she learned basic research concepts. With this information, Yvonne began attending additional conferences to learn more about breast cancer research. She later developed a deeper interest which led her to serve on numerous panels for local and national cancer related organizations as a patient advocate, peer reviewer, stakeholder and consumer reviewer. Yvonne admits “my goal in being an independent patient advocate will always be to elevate the voice of the patient.”
Dr. Hannah Chang and Yvonne McLean Florence believe their match through MARP during the 10th Annual MBCRC is definitely a step in the right direction for breast cancer research. As a researcher and patient advocate they applaud MARP for providing them a unique opportunity to form a trusting relationship over something they are both very passionate about – MBC research. Hannah deeply appreciates having a dedicated advocate partner who not only offers valuable feedback on her research but also ensures that her work has a meaningful impact on the lives of metastatic breast cancer patients. Both of us are “excited and look forward to identifying ways beyond the conference that we can collaborate and partner on a breast cancer research project.”
