2008 American Society Of Breast Disease Pathfinder Lectures

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;  Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 31 Jan 2008 - 16:00 PDT

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The 2008 American Society of Breast Disease Pathfinder Lectures will be delivered by two giants in the field of breast cancer - Mary-Claire King, PhD, and Bernard Fisher, MD. The Pathfinder Lectures will be part of the Society's Annual Symposium, April 10-12, 2008, at the Hilton San Diego Resort, San Diego, California.

In announcing the recipients of the ASBD's only honorary recognition, Society president Julio A. Ibarra, MD, noted that "through their research and vision this year's honorees -- Mary-Claire King and Bernard Fisher -- have set the highest of standards and benefited the lives of millions of women internationally."

Mary-Claire King is Professor of Medicine and Genetics and an American Cancer Society professor at the University of Washington. She is best known for discovering that BRCA1 mutations can cause hereditary breast cancer. Dr. King's work changed historic views by finding a genetic marker for the existence of BRCA1, which made possible gene location, testing, screening and prophylactic procedures. Dr. King received her doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, where she taught from 1976 until 1995 before moving to the University of Washington.

Bernard Fisher, MD, is a recognized pioneer in the biology and treatment of breast cancer. He was recently honored by the University of Pittsburgh, where he serves as distinguished service professor of surgery and scientific director of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project, which he chaired from 1967 to 1994. Dr. Fisher work has led to an understanding of breast cancer as a systemic disease that metastasizes unpredictably, and that can be treated with a combination of conservative local treatment and systemic therapy.

Established in 2006, the Pathfinder Lectures recognizes the innovators worldwide who have combined research and clinical practice with an interdisciplinary understanding to advance the fight against breast disease and breast cancer. Previous recipients have included Ambassador Nancy Brinker; Patricia Ganz, MD; Jay Harris, MD; Gabriel Hortobagyi, MD; Daniel Kopans, MD; David Page, MD; Melvin Silverstein, MD; Laszlo Tabar, MD; and Umberto Veronesi, MD.

About the American Society of Breast Disease

The American Society of Breast Disease is the leading professional medical society in the United States to serve all physicians and allied professionals committed to and advocating an interdisciplinary team approach to breast cancer and disease management, prevention, early detection, treatment, and research. The Society provides professional education programs and advocates for improvements in breast healthcare.

American Society of Breast Disease