Improving Outcomes for Breast Cancer Survivors ― Perspectives on Research Challenges and Opportunities

In collaboration with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), this timely volume provides a comprehensive review on all areas of breast cancer survivorship research, highlighting research that is underway or in development. The range of topics covered include the biology and management of fatigue and cognitive dysfunction on breast cancer survivorship, the biology and management of Neuropathy and Arthralgias, the ongoing research on the biology of diet and lifestyle interventions in survivors, and more. With the tremendous growth in the number of breast cancer survivors, researchers have moved beyond describing the outcomes of breast cancer treatments and are focusing their research on understanding the mechanisms underlying the development of the late effects of breast cancer treatment, as well as the development and evaluation of interventions to mitigate some of the persistent symptoms—topics which are also explored in this volume. In addition, current research on how to improve survivorship and reduce recurrence of breast cancer through behavioral and lifestyle modifications is also discussed.

Patricia A. Ganz, MD, currently holds an American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professorship, and is Professor in the UCLA Schools of Medicine and Public Health. For over 30 years, Dr. Ganz has been doing systematic research on the health-related quality of life impact of cancer and its treatment. Through her research she has contributed to the understanding of how women adjust to the diagnosis of breast cancer, including its effects on their physical, emotional, social, and sexual well-being. Her current research focuses on understanding the biological mechanisms associated with the development of post-treatment fatigue and cognitive dysfunction, along with the development and testing of interventions to mitigate these symptoms in breast cancer patients and survivors. Dr. Ganz is a founding member of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), and was previously awarded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation's Jill Rose Award and the Susan G. Komen Professor of Survivorship. Dr. Ganz is the first recipient of the ASCO Professorship in Breast Cancer Comparative Effectiveness Research. Dr. Ganz serves as Deputy Editor for the Journal of the National Cancer Institute and Associate Editor of CA-A Journal for Clinicians. She has also been actively involved in measurement of quality of life endpoints in clinical trials, with leadership roles in the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), and now NRG Oncology. She has published over 390 scientific papers, countless book chapters, and she has also edited two books with Springer. She has received over 22,800 citations in her career.