Researchers are tapping into the first-hand knowledge of survivors of breast cancer through the cancer patient advocate program at Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center (PS-OC).

“Breast cancer patients can provide valuable insight into the impact of therapies,” said Abigail Hielscher, a chemical and biomolecular engineering postdoctoral fellow in the Sharon Gerecht laboratory. Hielscher is helping to organize an effort to locate breast cancer survivors and patients, as well as those who work closely with them such as oncology nurses, to inform the efforts of researchers developing cancer diagnosis and treatments.

In addition to acting as a liaison between the population of breast cancer survivors and patients and the community of Johns Hopkins PS-OC scientists performing breast cancer-related research, patient advocates also are charged with telling the public and funding agencies about the latest breast cancer research being performed in PS-OC labs.

Likewise, researchers must communicate their findings via laboratory demonstrations and brief, non-technical talks to the breast cancer advocates.

“Survivors can facilitate communication between those directly affected by the disease and those working to treat or cure it,” Hielscher said. “The advocates, both patients and nurses, allow researchers to better understand and implement the needs of breast cancer patients in terms of new therapies and treatment strategies.”

Cancer patient advocates meet periodically with Johns Hopkins PS-OC researchers. Currently, PS-OC patient advocates are Mary Capano, MSN, RN, CBPN-IC and Nancy Cardwell.

If you or someone you know is a breast cancer survivor who would like to learn about the volunteer opportunity as a patient advocate contact Abigail Hielscher at ahielsc1@jhu.edu or via phone: 402-889-0283.