Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

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Breast cancer

The Ottawa Hospital is conducting cutting-edge research to improve our understanding of breast cancer and develop better treatments. This page includes selected news stories about our breast cancer research, links to researchers working in this area and related resources. Learn more below.

Research News

	2,000 Ottawa participants recruited to breast cancer screening study May 26, 2023 - The Ottawa site of the Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (TMIST) recently reached its enrollment goal of 2,000 participants. Led by Dr. Jean Seely, the Ottawa site first opened in 2017.
	Novel DNA-targeting drug shows activity in patients with breast, ovarian cancer October 13, 2022 - A clinical trial led by Dr. John Hilton shows that a novel drug called CX-5461 is active in patients with advanced solid cancers with DNA repair deficiencies. The phase I trial enrolled 40 patients at The Ottawa Hospital and two other centres.
	Study shows annual screening before age 50 leads to lower proportions of advanced breast cancer August 10, 2022 - A new study has found Canadian provinces that annually screen women aged 40-49 had lower proportions of advanced breast cancer compared to women aged 50-59 from provinces that did not hold annual mammograms.
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	Meet cancer researcher Dr. Taylor Jamieson-Datzkiw April 25, 2022 - When she’s not studying to be a doctor or in the lab working on cancer-killing viruses, Métis researcher Dr. Taylor Jamieson-Datzkiw can be found mentoring the next generation of scientists and health-care providers.
	A “smorgasbord” of cancer research, treatment, and life philosophy March 18, 2022 - Dr. Mark Clemons’ keen sense of humour and sharp wit have earned him an enduring and respected reputation among cancer patients at The Ottawa Hospital, where he is a medical oncologist. His patients regularly comment on the positive difference his un
	Advancing personalized medicine for breast cancer March 16, 2022 - While breast cancer can often be cured if caught early, once it spreads to other organs the five-year survival rate is just 28%. Dr. Luc Sabourin and his team hope to put the brakes on aggressive forms of breast cancer, and their latest study in Brea
	A patient’s dying wish to move medical science forward December 9, 2021 - Despite battling breast cancer, Paula Helmer found a driving ambition and raised her voice in support of clinical trials.
	New commentary finds flaws in study that shaped current breast cancer screening guidelines November 23, 2021 - Researchers at Sunnybrook Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital, The University of British Columbia, The University of Alberta and Harvard Medical School have published a new commentary in the Journal of Medical Screening that confirms significant
	Canadian study finds fewer breast cancers diagnosed between screens when women with dense breasts are offered more frequent mammograms July 20, 2021 - A new study published in the Canadian Association of Radiologists’ Journal shows that Canadian jurisdictions that offer more frequent mammograms to women with dense breasts had fewer cancers diagnosed between screens.
	Treatment while waiting for surgery for breast cancer - can it improve surgical outcomes? June 23, 2021 - Drs. Angel Arnaout and Arif Awan are leading a clinical trial to determine if an experimental treatment can slow down the growth and spread of early stage breast cancer while activating the patient’s immune system before surgery
	Personalized approach reduces nausea in breast cancer patients April 15, 2021 - Cancer chemotherapy often causes nausea and vomiting, but a new clinical trial shows that a personalized approach can help. The trial, led by Dr. Mark Clemons, used a calculator his team developed to identify breast cancer patients with a high risk o
	Breast cancer patients benefit from Ottawa-based study December 3, 2020 - There is such deep love in Gina Mertikas-Lavictoire’s eyes when she looks at her three young children. But there is something else, too: fear. Fear that one or even both of her daughters will develop the same aggressive breast cancer she’s had. So, w
	Bone-modulating drugs can be given less often during cancer treatment, reducing side-effects and saving time and money November 28, 2020 - When cancer spreads to the bones, it can cause pain, reduce mobility and increase the risk of fractures. Bone modulating drugs can help, but a new study suggests that to maximize the value of these drugs, it may be better to give them less often.
	Fewer hospital visits, safer care, less cost: study changing breast cancer treatment around the world October 15, 2020 - A new study published in Annals of Oncology shows that a drug commonly used to prevent infections in breast cancer patients can safely be given less often, meaning fewer hospital visits, fewer side effects and reduced treatment costs.
	Unexpected breast cancer diagnosis leads patient down an uncertain path October 1, 2020 - During her treatment, Annette participated in several clinical trials through The Ottawa Hospital's innovative REthinking Clinical Trials (REaCT) program. This program engages patients and their loved ones in research every step of the way, from
	Researchers to advance science and improve health with new CIHR funding February 14, 2019 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, are playing a lead role in nine new projects funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). These projects will advance science and improve health in areas su
	Every day was a gift for Jillian O’Connor February 4, 2019 - Eighteen weeks into her third pregnancy, Jillian O’Connor was diagnosed with breast cancer and given less than two years to live. In February 2019, she celebrated the fourth birthday of her healthy baby boy. She lived life to the fullest and champion
	TMIST - MAC.22 January 17, 2019 - If you are a woman aged 45 to 74 who is planning to get a routine screening mammogram then you are eligible for this trial. Please ask your doctor to fax a request to The Ottawa Hospital Breast Imaging Booking office at 613-761-4405, clearly indicat
	Radioactive seeds for breast cancer surgery: better for patients and the health-care system August 30, 2018 - Tiny breast tumours are difficult for surgeons to find and remove during surgery. For years, the only way to do it was to insert a wire (known as a harpoon) into the breast to mark the tumour during pre-surgical imaging. But the wire was uncomfortabl
	The Ottawa Hospital awarded $12.7M for research, double the national CIHR success rate January 30, 2018 - Sixteen research groups at The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, have been awarded $12.7 million in the most recent project grant competition from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This represents a success r
	Could viruses take cancer immunotherapy to the next level? Study shows viruses and checkpoint inhibitors work together to cure resistant breast cancer in mice January 3, 2018 - Immunotherapy, which helps the body’s immune system attack cancer, has revolutionized treatment for cancers such as melanoma and leukemia. However, many other kinds of cancer remain resistant. A new study led by researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and
	Trial opens door for new kind of drug for advanced breast cancer June 14, 2017 - Hormone-based therapy has revolutionized the treatment of breast cancer, but when these therapies fail, patients often have few other options. Dr. Mark Clemons and colleagues played an important role in an international clinical trial that has open
	New approach to clinical trials could revolutionize cancer care February 23, 2017 - Yasemin Heinbecker was a career diplomat used to working 10-hour days when she received a diagnosis last fall that stopped her busy life in its tracks. Like 25,000 other Canadian women every year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and ended up “re
	Is 3D Mammography more effective in detecting breast cancer? February 8, 2017 - The Ottawa Hospital Breast Health Centre and Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre collaborate on clinical trial for breast cancer screening with digital breast tomosynthesis Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital Breast Health Centre and the Ottawa In
	Ottawa team pioneers new approach for cancer clinical trials September 28, 2016 - What is the most efficient way to answer the most important questions to improve care for cancer patients? Drs. John Hilton, Mark Clemons and Dean Fergusson got a group of Ottawa researchers together to answer this question and came up eight key

Researchers

Name	Scientific appointment	Diseases, conditions and populations of interest	Research and clinical approaches
Addison, Christina PhD	Senior Scientist (Cancer Therapeutics)	Bone and joint degeneration, Cancer, Lung cancer, Lung disease, Pancreatic cancer, Prostate cancer, Breast cancer	Basic research, Clinical research, Cohort studies, Disease models, Drug development, Genetics, Imaging, Model organisms, Translational research, Molecular and cellular biology
Ardolino, Michele PhD	Senior Scientist (Cancer Therapeutics)	Blood cancer, Brain cancer, Breast cancer, Cancer, Colorectal cancer, Head and neck cancer, Liver cancer, Lung cancer, Ovarian cancer, Pancreatic cancer, Prostate cancer, Skin cancer, Soft tissue sarcoma	Basic research, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Clinical research, Disease models, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Model organisms, Molecular and cellular biology, Transgenic/knockout models, Translational research
Bissell, Mary Beth MSc, MD, FRCPC	Clinician Investigator (Cancer Therapeutics)	Breast cancer, Cancer, COVID-19, Population health, Women's health	Clinical research
Clemons, Mark MB BS, BMedSci, MSc, MD, FRCP, FRCPC	Scientist (Cancer Therapeutics)	Breast cancer, Cancer	Basic research, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Health research methods, Knowledge translation and implementation research
Hutton, Brian MSc, PhD	Senior Scientist (Clinical Epidemiology)	Addiction, Anxiety, Breast cancer, Depression, Health equity, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Maternal and fetal health, Mental health, Population health, Suicide, Cancer	Clinical research, Cohort studies, Epidemiology, Health research methods, Health services research, Patient safety, Public health, Rapid reviews, Biostatistics, Clinical trials, Systematic reviews
Ilkow, Carolina PhD	Senior Scientist (Cancer Therapeutics)	Breast cancer, COVID-19, Ovarian cancer, Pancreatic cancer	Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Extracellular vesicles / exosomes, Gene therapy, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Oncolytic viruses, Translational research, Viral therapy
Morgan, Scott MD, MSc, FRCPC	Clinician Investigator (Cancer Therapeutics)	Bladder cancer, Breast cancer, Cancer, Prostate cancer	Biomarkers, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Cohort studies, Imaging, Systematic reviews
Sabourin, Luc PhD	Senior Scientist (Cancer Therapeutics)	Breast cancer, Muscular dystrophy, Skin cancer	Basic research, Disease models, Drug development, Gene expression, Genetics, Molecular and cellular biology, Proteomics, Stem cells, Transgenic/knockout models
Seely, Jean MDCM, FRCPC	Clinician Investigator (Clinical Epidemiology)	Breast cancer, Cancer, Health equity, Population health, Women's health	Clinical trials, Cohort studies, Health technology, Imaging, Patient engagement, Public health, Quality Improvement, Surgery
Srikanthan, Amirrtha MD, MHSc, FRCPC, DRCPSC (AYA Oncology)	Clinician Investigator (Cancer Therapeutics)	Breast cancer, Cancer, Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), Soft tissue sarcoma	Clinical research, Health promotion, Patient engagement, Surveys

Related Resources

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Cancer Therapeutics Program

The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Program

The Ottawa Hospital’s Rose Ages Breast Health Centre