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 More than 2,000 breast cancer organizations have raised over $2 billion dollars during the past two decades for breast cancer research. Doing so has taken an astounding amount of work and dedication. But despite this enormous effort, we still do not know what causes breast cancer or how to prevent it.
Yes, there have been advances in treatments and improvements in diagnosis and imaging. These developments are significant, but their impact is limited. In order to end this disease once and for all we need to stop breast cancer not after it has occurred but before it begins. We need true breast cancer prevention.
At the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, we believe that to eradicate breast cancer we need to understand the underlying conditions that lead the disease to develop in the first place, and that we need to begin where breast cancer begins—in the breast ducts.
Cervical cancer provides an excellent example of how getting to where cancer starts can lead to the eradication of a disease. First, the Pap smear was developed. This test allowed doctors to detect precancerous and cancerous cells. Initially, the only way to keep the cancer from progressing was by removing the cervix and uterus. But before long, local therapies, such as laser and cryotherapy, which could kill the cancer cells, were developed. Another huge step forward came in the late 1980s, when researchers reported that they had discovered that cervical cancer was caused by the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV), a finding that laid the groundwork for a preventative vaccine. This became the new research focus. And in July 2006, this vaccine, called Gardisil, was approved by the FDA. Now, cervical cancer is on its way to becoming a disease of the past.
I believe that we can make breast cancer a disease of the past as well. We know where breast cancer starts and we now have the tools to get there. This intaductal research holds the potential to expand our knowledge in ways that will truly allow us to end breast cancer. But for that to happen, we need to invest money and brainpower into this research field. That is the purpose and aim of my Foundation: to conduct and foster research on the intraductal approach that will allow us to learn how breast cancer begins, and to keep it from occurring.
The Foundation has grown tremendously over the past few years. This would not have been possible without the assistance of all the individuals who believe in our work and who support us in our efforts. I want to take this opportunity to personally thank every individual who has supported me and the Foundation as we work to fight this disease. Our work is not done until we eradicate breast cancer. Our lives and the lives of our daughters and granddaughters depend on it.
With appreciation and gratitude,
Dr. Susan Love
President and Medical Director
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