FRONTLINEFRONTLINETM

On the front line in the battle against breast cancer. SUMMER 2011

Hear from distinguished researchers on cutting edge breast cancernews. Be inspired by stories of breast cancer survivorship. Enjoy adelicious lunch while honoring our Pink Ribbon Award winners.

Browse and shop our exhibitor and vendor tables. Bring a friend with youand make new friends throughout the day.

If you’ve never made the trip to the PA Breast Cancer Coalition AnnualConference, these are just a few of the reasons to make this the year that youjoin us! Tuesday, October 11 promises to be a day full of inspiring experiencesdesigned to appeal to all who have a stake in the fight against breast cancer -including survivors, caregivers, advocates, health care professionals, businessand community leaders.

Early Bird and Bring a Friend registration discounts are available onlinethrough September 9 for the 2011 PA Breast Cancer Coalition AnnualConference. Applications for travel grants, full and partial scholarships arealso available online for anyone who would need financial assistance to attendthe conference.

Inspiration, Education, and Innovation on the Agenda atthe 2011 PA Breast Cancer Coalition Annual Conference

FRONTLINEA quarterly publication of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition

800-377-8828www.PABreastCancer.org

Statewide Headquarters344 North Reading RoadEphrata, PA 17522

HONORARY BOARD

Bernard Fisher, M.D.Michele M. Ridge

Senator Harris Wofford

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Pat Halpin-MurphyPresident & Founder

Heather HibshmanExecutive Director

Madlyn AbramsonRosemary BolandSandra Christianson

Sandy CrayDeborah FreerJohn Glick, M.D.Gary GurianG. June Hoch

Andrea Mastro, Ph.D.Denise RobisonAlice Sanders

Jeanne SchmedlenMary Simmonds, M.D., F.A.C.P.

Pat StewartLeslie StilesTed Williams

Norman Wolmark, M.D.

Carol BurkholderKim EubanksTricia GroveSarah LightmanDolores MagroJennifer PensingerKevin Smith

PBCC STAFF

Frontline is published as a quarterly communiquefor the information of the supporters and friends of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or distributed without permission from the PA Breast Cancer Coalition.

Amy Collins Law, Editoramyleecollins@hotmail.com

TM

President’s Corner

2

Travel Grants and Scholarships Available for 2011 PA Breast CancerCoalition Annual Conference

PA BREAST CANCER COALITIONwww.PABreastCancer.org 800-377-8828

FRONTLINE - SUMMER 2011

Leslie Anne Miller, Esq.Executive Vice President

It is always a priority for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition to make our Annual Conference - theonly statewide conference held in Pennsylvania devoted exclusively to breast cancer issues -accessible to all who wish to attend. We are able to do so by offering full and partial scholarshipsand travel grants to those who need a little boost to be able to attend the conference.

Through the generosity and thoughtfulness of friends and family, the Cary Massa Scholarship

Fund was created in remembrance of Cary, a dedicated conference volunteer and beloved memberof the ABC’S Support Group of Carlisle. In honor of Cary’s memory and in recognition of hersupport of the conference as a volunteer, the fund provides full and partial conference registrationscholarships to those who complete an application and are selected to receive the scholarship.

In addition to scholarships, travel grants are available by application to potential attendees

that live more than 50 miles from the conference at the Harrisburg Hilton. These travel grantscover the cost of a conference registration, a standard guest hotel room, and reimbursement fordocumented travel expenses of up to $100 for those whose applications are approved by thePBCC.

Please help us spread the word about our conference and the different ways we can assist

someone who wishes to share in the conference experience with us. For more information, visitour webpage at: www.PABreastCancer.org/Annual_Conf.

Pat Halpin-Murphy

Edward Chu, MD, MMS, Deputy Director, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute andHeather Hibshman, PBCC Executive Director congratulate 2011 Refunds for Research awardrecipients Steffi Oesterreich, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh and Melanie Sarah Flint, Ph.D.,University of Pittsburgh. At right, Azadeh Stark, Ph. D., M.Sc., Center for Health Service Research,Geisinger Health System - Geisinger Medical Center accepts a certificate recognizing her as a 2011Refunds for Research grant winner.

Three Researchers Receive 2011 Refunds for Research Awards

Survivor

Jean FridayWestmoreland County

Illuminating the lives of breast cancer survivors

Jean is a trained chemist and retired steelworker fromBelle Vernon, PA. Before becoming President of thePennsylvania Alliance of Retired Americans (PARA),she served on the Board of the SteelworkersOrganization of Active Retirees (SOAR) as well asExecutive Vice President of PARA. Jean is also Presidentof her local SOAR chapter in Clairton PA. At the ageof 77, she is now a 25-year breast cancer survivor.

Diagnosis and Treatment

My mother had breast cancer in the late 70s –early 80s. She had a mastectomy but couldn’t takethe chemotherapy drug Cytoxin so she refused totake further treatment. She passed away in 1984. Iwas very involved with her and not really payingmuch attention to myself. I had had a tubalpregnancy and had trouble with my breasts. To getmy breasts back to normal, I was given birth controlpills and as a result of that had some cystic mastitis.After my mother’s death I had my first baselinemammogram which proved negative. Then in 1986I was just not feeling well and my primary doctordid a breast exam. I had a lump that he didn’t likeso he scheduled a biopsy. The frozen section afterthe biopsy found the breast cancer. In March 1986 I had a lumpectomy andradiation. With the encouragement of my doctor, Ientered Dr. Bernie Fisher’s clinical trial ontamoxifen.1 Some participants in the study weretaking the drug and some were taking a placebo. Iremained in the study for two years but becameincreasingly more convinced that I wanted to be sureI was actually taking tamoxifen, so I dropped out.

My doctor prescribedtamoxifen, my insurancecovered it, and I took itfor the following 12 years. When the investigatorsended the study I requested confirmation aboutwhat I had been taking. As it turned out I had beenone of the participants who was on the placebo, so Iwas glad about my decision to quit the study. Helping Others Access Care

During this time I was still working at U.S. Steelas a lab technician. We had a lockout in 1986 andthere were 200 people in the mill who had healthissues and couldn’t afford to be without healthinsurance. The union was providing bare bonescoverage. We had a 90-day conversion period fromthe time the insurance was lost when we couldconvert to another insurer. I always had an interest inanything related to medicine and access to care,including insurance. I took it upon myself to helpthese people get the coverage they needed. The wifeof one employee needed a kidney transplant and hecame in to see me right away. He knew he neededbetter help and needed it right away. I was able to findthem coverage that he said saved them tens ofthousands of dollars. That experience led me to my current position. Ilove working with health care. I was thinking ofretiring but now budget cuts and social securityconcerns have kept me in the arena. I would love to seehow we could control costs but that’s going to be verydifficult. There are a lot of people who need help now.

3

“I always had an interest in

anything related tomedicine and accessto care, includinginsurance. I took itupon myself tohelp these peopleget the coveragethey needed.”- Jean Friday

PA BREAST CANCER COALITIONwww.PABreastCancer.org 800-377-8828

FRONTLINE - SUMMER 2011

Jean Friday’s personal experience with breast

cancer led her to become a patient advocate.

Spotlight

1 Six years after its inception, the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT) showed a 45% reduction in breast cancer incidence amonghigh-risk participants who took tamoxifen. As a result, investigators released initial study findings about 14 months earlier than

expected and notified the 13,388 participants of the findings so those who had been taking a placebo could consider starting tamoxifentherapy after consulting with their physician. Participants continued to be followed by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast andBowel Project (NSABP), the Pittsburgh-based research network that conducted the trial with support from the National CancerInstitute (NCI). The tamoxifen study was conducted by Dr. Bernard Fisher, member of the PBCC Honorary Board of Directors.

www.PABreastCancer.org 800-377-8828

4

PA BREAST CANCER COALITION

FRONTLINE - SUMMER 2011

Attention Breast Cancer Researchers:2012 Refunds for Research Request for Applications

h t t p : / / p b c c .m e /RFA

Are you a Breast or Cervical Cancer Researcher in PA looking for additional funds?

$50,000 grants are available through PBCC’s Refunds for Breast & Cervical Cancer Researchcampaign. Thanks to Pennsylvania taxpayers generously donating their state tax refunds, over$2.8 million has been collected and every penny is given out in grants to cutting edge researchersin this state.

Please visit pbcc.me/RFA for the full Request for Application and budget forms. Letters ofintent are due to the PBCC by July 29th, and full proposals are due August 30th. The grantperiod is January 1, 2012-December 30, 2012.

We encourage all breast and cervical cancer researchers to apply. Help spread the word to yourpersonal and professional network about this opportunity. Please contact PBCC ProgramDirector, Jennifer Pensinger at jennifer@pabreastcancer.org if you have any questions.

Home Run Heroes State Representative Eugene DePasquale, State Senator Mike Brubaker and State Representative Scott Boyd meet up to promote the Take a Swing Against Breast Cancer Home Run Derby and formally kick off their friendly hometown rivalry

among York, Harrisburg and Lancaster respectively.

There’s still time to join them at any of their hometown grudgematches or at any of the eight other locations throughout July.

Check www.PAHomeRunDerby.org for details.

Home Run Heroes RenewHometown Rivalry Your legacy can help us find a

cure so your daughters and granddaughters won’t have to.

Contact your financial advisor to discuss planned gift options today.

Retinoic acid could be a promising cancer therapybecause it affects cell growth, proliferation, and

survival. Although it is being tested in a number ofclinical trials, mostly in advanced disease, its success atcombating cancer thus far has been inconsistent.However, we have been able to pinpoint critical aspectsof retinoic acid’s mode of action––a potentiallyimportant step toward developing strategies forsuccessful treatments of breast cancer patients. Retinoic acid binds to retinoic acid receptor beta(RAR-β), and it may be through this action that it cansuppress tumors at early stages. A decrease in RAR- βlevels in tumors is associated with cancer progression,and an increase is linked to positive responses to certainclinical interventions. It is thought that the activatedreceptor limits cell growth by regulating geneexpression, but its underlying mechanisms are notcompletely understood. To identify the specific conditions under whichretinoic acid inhibits and even reverses the growth ofabnormal masses in the breast, we developed a culturesystem consisting of four cell lines representing differentphases of cancer: normal-like human breast cells;transformed cells (which give rise to solid masses uponexposure to carcinogens); invasive cells (which arecapable of breaking through breast tissue barriers andspreading to other parts of the body); and tumor cells(which form when invasive cells are injected into themammary fat pad of mice and show all of thecharacteristics of fully malignant breast cancer cells). Our findings indicated that the RAR-β gene wasactive in the two earliest stages of cancer, but silenced

in the final two stages. These changes in gene activationwere caused by a type of chemical modification calledmethylation, which involves the addition of a methylgroup to DNA. In three-dimensional cultures containing a collagenmatrix, normal-like cells formed tubules resembling anormal mammary gland, while the transformed cellsalso gave rise to solid masses. The cells that producedsolid masses in collagen produced tubules when theyreceived retinoic acid for 15 days. By contrast, invasiveand tumor cells did not generate tubules in responseto treatment with retinoic acid, even in combinationwith a drug that activates RAR-β by inhibiting DNAmethylation. The results suggest that retinoic acid can stoptumor progression early on, but not at later timepoints:for example, it is not shown to be effective in establishedmetastatic disease because the genetic changes relatedto cancer have become too severe. Unfortunately, thereappears to be no way to revert the tumors with retinoicacid when they become too advanced. The study also shows that the methylation statusof RAR-β can be use as a biomarker for the earlydetection of breast cancer. Our hope is that thedevelopment of biomarkers in blood would avoid theuse of breast biopsies and help the patient decreaseher anxiety. In addition, drugs that reactivate RAR-βreceptor by decreasing DNA methylation may helpbreast cancer patients. These medications are alreadybeing used to manage a certain type of leukemia,offering hope that it will also be approved to treat earlystage breast cancer and other diseases.

5

www.PABreastCancer.org 800-377-8828

FRONTLINE - SUMMER 2011

Sandra V. Fernandez, Ph.D.

Research Shows Vitamin A DerivativeCan Inhibit Early Forms of Breast Cancerby SANDRA V. FERNANDEZ, PH.D. Assistant Research Professor at Fox Chase CancerCenter & 2009 PBCC Refunds for Research Grant Recipient

“The resultssuggest that retinoicacid can stop tumorprogression early on, but not at latertimepoints: forexample, it is notshown to be effective inestablished metastaticdisease because thegenetic changesrelated to cancer havebecome too severe.”

-- Sandra V. Fernandez, Ph.D.

PA BREAST CANCER COALITION

Dr Fernandez will continue these studies as part of the team of Dr. Massimo Cristofanilli, Chairmanof the Department of Medical Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center. She began this study with thehelp of a grant from she received in 2009 from the PBCC’s Refunds for Research program.

MED I C A L ART I C L E

Retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A found in foods such as sweet potatoes and carrots, may prove to be a criticalkey to fighting breast cancer at early stages, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at Fox Chase CancerCenter. The findings of the study were presented in April at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)102nd Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL.

www.PABreastCancer.org 800-377-8828PA BREAST CANCER COALITION

FRONTLINE - SUMMER 20116

Grassroots Partners

To find out how, call Sarah at 800-377-8828 x107 or email sarah@PaBreastCancer.org

It is great to have friends that would literally give you the shirtoff of their back - which is exactly what the Reading Philliesdid once again this year for the PBCC! Through a raffle andauction of special pink game day jerseys worn by the players,$3,235 was raised. Thanks to Matt Hoffmaster and the ReadingPhillies for their continued partnership and support!

Plant the seed in your community and watch it grow statewide - become a Grassroots Partner.

The Central York Middle School Volleyball teambumped, set, and spiked its way to a $1,350 donation to the

PBCC. Finding another way to ‘serve’ off the court, these youngwomen are ‘aces’ in our book! Thanks to Karen Kauffman and allinvolved in the effort!

The Lower Dauphin Girls’ Soccer team took the field to score goals against theiropponent this April with a larger goal in mind - raising funds and breast

cancer awareness in their community. Their hard work and commitment resultedin a $4,425 contribution to the PBCC. Many thanks and much appreciation toevent organizer Dianne Altman-Weaver and the entire team for their support!

Lower Dauphin Girls’ Soccer

Students, parents, teachersand staff of HarrisburgChristian School turnedout to support the Knights infull force earlier this year attheir Pink Knight. Theirefforts raised $5,200 for thePBCC! Our thanks tostudent organizer CarissaVan Dyck, the players andfans for their support!

By cheering, leaping, tumbling, and selling t-shirts,the Mechanicsburg Area School District

Cheerleaders were able to boost the PBCC with a$1,093 donation. These dedicated ladies started theirefforts in the Summer of 2010 by selling t-shirts andcollecting donations to support breast cancerawareness. Three cheers for Steph Crow and the entireMechanicsburg Cheerleader family for demonstratingboth school spirit and community spirit through thisfundraising effort.

The Methacton High SchoolGirls’ Basketball team took

it to the hoop for the PBCConce again and scored big forbreast cancer awareness! $1,648was raised through the girls’fundraising efforts. High fives toCoach Craig Kaminski, theteam, and all those whocontributed to the success of theevent!

www.PABreastCancer.org 800-377-8828PA BREAST CANCER COALITION

For more information, visit www.PABreastCancer.org/Events

Coming to Your CommunityHome Run Derby Kick-Off Press ConferencePA State Capitol, Harrisburg, Dauphin County

Swing for Support Golf TournamentBlue Ridge Country Club, Dauphin County

Take A Swing Against Breast Cancer Home Run DerbyStadiums Across Pennsylvania

Ta-Ta TrotSunbury, Northumberland County

Ride for the CureWestmoreland County Fairgrounds, Westmoreland County

Swing for a Cure/Eagle Rock Women’s Golf TournamentEagle Rock Resort, Hazleton, Luzerne County

Longaberger Horizon of Hope BreakfastAdamstown, Lancaster County

Garden Spot Motorcycle Club Ride to HelpReinholds VFW, Lancaster County

Westmoreland WalksTwin Lakes Park, Westmoreland County

Lois Orange Ducoeur Breast Cancer WalkCharleroi, Washington County

PA Breast Cancer Coalition Annual ConferenceHarrisburg Hilton, Dauphin County

6/28

6/28

July

7/9

7/30

8/3

8/20

9/10

10/1

10/8

10/11

FRONTLINE - SUMMER 2011 7

PBCC Travels to Huntingdon County

Speakers at the Huntingdon County Exhibit openingreception included Billie Hammond, Joseph Peluso,

Maria Pettinger, Pat Kepple, andHeather Hibshman

Huntingdon County welcomed the PBCC’s traveling photoexhibit, 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in

Pennsylvania, to the main lobby of J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital.

PBCC Executive Director Heather Hibshman, J.C. Blair

Memorial Hospital President & CEO Joseph J. Peluso and Chiefof Staff & Department of Radiology Medical Director Maria T.Pettinger, M.D. spoke at the opening reception. Local survivorPat Kepple and Huntingdon County exhibit participant BillieHammond shared stories of their experience with breast cancerwith the audience. Many thanks to Christine Gildea, Director ofMarketing & Community Relations for the J.C. Blair MemorialHospital for serving as committee chair.

Special thanks to the PA Department of Health for their

continued support of the traveling photo exhibit.

Valentine’s Day is a great day to tellsomeone how you feel about them,

which is why we were honored to havebeen chosen by Ephrata NationalBank as the recipient of $1,200 fromtheir annual Valentine’s Day luncheonand silent auction. Thanks to GloriaWeber & James G. Brown at EphrataNational Bank for choosing us as yourValentine!

The Steel City Derby DemonsRoller Derby ladies held a

double header derby event whererival teams joined forces againstbreast cancer, donating a portion ofthe proceeds to the PBCC.“Velvet Assassin” Megan Dunnorganized the event which raised$344. Thanks to all whoparticipated in the event. You ladiesrock - and roll!

Consistency over speed wasthe strategy for the Mid

Atlantic Speedhorse Race 4Life, held in Annville in April.Breast cancer survivor ShellyMix coordinated the race.When the dust settled from theexciting event, Shelly presentedthe PBCC with a check for$2,400. Hats off to Shelly andall who turned out to take partin and support the race!

Diners at Loxley’swere treated to the

opportunity to designatea charity to receive adonation from therestaurant on their behalf.$1,487 was presented to thePBCC. Thanks to SandyHaynes and to the patronsand staff of Loxley’s!

Breast cancer survivorConnie Dunklebarger

cooked up $10,481 throughthe sale of her recipe book toraise money for breast cancerresearch! Many thanks toConnie & her husband Ed,President and Vice Chairmanof Susquehanna Bancshares,Inc. for their ongoingcommitment to the cause.

344 North Reading RoadEphrata, PA 17522

Address Service Requested

STEP

BE

SIGN

ROOT

up to the plate

a sponsor

up to volunteer

from the stands

REGISTERNOW!

Can We Count You In?

www.PAHomeRunDerby.org

Throughout July, eleven baseball stadiums across thestate will be abuzz with excitement as the PBCC and

the PA Association of Community Bankers take the fieldto Take a Swing Against Breast Cancer! This statewidehome run derby is an opportunity for all to step into thebatters box and participate in a one-of-a-kind fundraisingexperience.

There is still time for you to get in the batters box.Register your team of 4 batters - or just yourself as anindividual batter - today at www.PAHomeRunDerby.org.You’ll have a great time participating in a wonderfulactivity to benefit those with breast cancer inPennsylvania and their families. Can we count you in?

You

SEE YOU IN OCTOBER!TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11