The mission of the California Breast Cancer Research Program is to eliminate breast cancer by leading innovation in research, communication, and collaboration in the California scientific and lay communities.
California Breast Cancer Research Program Awards over $8 million to Researchers
October 15, 2008—Oakland, CA—The California Breast Cancer Research Program recently announced funding for nearly $8.1 million in research grants to California researchers seeking better ways to detect, treat, and prevent breast cancer, and to improve the quality of life for those affected by the disease. The program received 200 applications; following a rigorous two-step evaluation project, 42 applications from 23 California institutions and community organizations were selected for funding.
“These investigator-initiated research projects allow individual researchers and community groups to pursue their own research questions,” said Marion Kavanaugh-Lynch, M.D., M.P.H., director of the California Breast Cancer Research Program. “Individual efforts often lead to tremendous advances. We’re supporting projects that push boundaries and challenge existing paradigms in an effort to make the greatest impact against the disease.”
The grants focus on topics including tumor and normal breast biology, causes, prevention strategies, improvements in detection and treatment, and ways to reduce the impact of breast cancer within the community and for the individual. Six awards went to collaborative teams of community groups and traditional researchers to address important community issues, like breast cancer risk factors among underserved communities and improving access to care in rural communities.
Several grants support the career development of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and new investigators just starting their independent breast cancer research careers. “We’ve found that support during the early years is instrumental in retaining quality researchers within breast cancer research, said Kavanaugh-Lynch.
