Brooklyn College Cancer Center (BCCC-CURE) joins Maimonides Medical Center (MMC), SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) for an all-day free public outreach event.

Furthering its mission to engage the community with cancer-related information and support, the Brooklyn College Cancer Center (BCCC-CURE) will participate in the first Brooklyn Breast Cancer Symposium with Maimonides Medical Center (MMC), SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) on Friday, October 29, from 8:50 a.m. to 1:05 p.m.

All events are free, online, and open to the public.

In a four-part symposium, Brooklyn College faculty members Maria Contel, Director of BCCC-CURE; Jenny Basil, Associate Director Community Outreach; and Brian Gibney, Associate Director Education, will join a dozen physicians, researchers and nurse practitioners from Maimonides Medical Center, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to discuss a wide range of topics related to breast health. Two sessions focus on research including basic science research, preclinical studies and clinical trials. One session, Taking Charge of Your Breast Health During a Pandemic, is devoted to public outreach. The final session is a conversation with prospective and current nursing students and professionals. The event was also supported by Dr. Donna Marie E. Manasseh, Chief, Breast Surgery from Maimonides Medical Center.

Please register at the provided Zoom links located on the schedule within each session to attend this symposium.

Full Schedule of Events

Session 1: Scientific Talks Part I – Basic Science & Preclinical Studies

Discussion Leader: Dr. Brian Gibney (BCCC-CURE)

  • 9-9:15 a.m. p27Kip1: A Target to Combat Resistance to CDK4 inhibitors, Dr. Stacy Blain (SUNY Downstate)
  • 9:15-9:30 a.m. Resistance to Hormone Therapy in Breast Cancer, Dr. Sarat Chandarlapaty (MSKCC)
  • 9:30-9:45 a.m. Potential Metal-Based Chemo- and Targeted- Breast Cancer Therapeutics, Dr. Maria Contel (BCCC-CURE)
  • 9:45-10 a.m. Neuroregulatory BC RNAs: Dysregulation in Breast Cancer, Dr. Henri Tiedge (SUNY Downstate)

Session 2: Scientific Talks Part II – Clinical Studies

Discussion Leader: Dr. Patrick Borgen (MMC)

  • 10-10:15 a.m. Clinical Trials: How to Dissect and Critically Appraise, Dr. Joshua Feinberg (MMC)
  • 10:15-10:30 a.m. Screening Mammography – What You Need to Know, Dr. Christina Giuliano (MMC)
  • 10:30-10:45 a.m. The Medical Treatment of Early Stage Breast Cancer, Dr. Susan Burdette-Radoux (MMC)
  • 10:45-11 a.m. Current and New Concepts in Breast Cancer Radiotherapy, Dr. Fleure Gallant (SUNY Downstate & MMC)
  • 11-11:15 a.m. Breast Cancer Surgery and Opioids. Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going?, Dr. Patrick Borgen (MMC)

Session 3: Community Outreach Taking Charge of Your Breast Health During a Pandemic

Patient Experience Story, Panel Discussion, Q&A Moderator: Dr. Jennifer Basil (BCCC-CURE)

  • 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m. Patient Testimony: Yolanda Rodriguez Breast | Cancer 101 – In the Era of COVID, Dr. Donna-Marie Manasseh (MMC) | Mammogram Again? Why Screening Matters, Dr. Jessica Torrente (MMC) | Clinical Trials: When and Why?, Dr. Joshua Feinberg (MMC)

Session 4: A Conversation with Prospective and Current Nursing Students and Professionals: Positively Impacting Negative Perspectives of Breast Cancer

Oncology & Nursing, Panel Discussion, Q&A Moderator: Lynette LeePack (MMC)

  • 12:15-1 p.m. Odessa Williams Nurse Practitioner (MSKCC)
  • 1-1:05 p.m. Concluding remarks, Dr. Jennifer Basil (BCCC-CURE) and Dr. Donna-Marie Manasseh (MMC)

About BCCC-CURE

The Brooklyn College Cancer Center (CommUnity Outreach, Research and Education) BCCC-CURE is a center established in 2020 at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. The mission of the center is to enhance the lives of patients affected by cancer with a special focus on Brooklyn residents. Through this center, Brooklyn College seeks to expand its fundamental (basic and applied) research on cancer and combine research forces with local (New York City) cancer treatment centers and hospitals, and Brooklyn communities, while delivering first-class educational opportunities to our undergraduate and graduate students.

Twenty-five faculty members are already engaged in cancer or cancer-related research at Brooklyn College. Although many of the center’s activities began in fall 2020, the center’s official inauguration will be held in fall 2021.

About Brooklyn College

Widely known for its offer of an excellent education at an affordable tuition and recognized nationally for its diverse student body, Brooklyn College has been an anchor institution within the Borough of Brooklyn and greater New York City for more than 90 years. With approximately 17,000 students in more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, education, and business, the college is renowned for its rigorous academics, award-winning faculty, distinguished alumni, and community impact. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), Brooklyn College offers a vibrant and supportive student experience on a beautifully landscaped 35-acre campus in the borough’s Midwood neighborhood.