The mission of the BSAC is to provide advocacy support to the SPORE researchers, breast cancer patients, and the community at large by creating and advancing projects that promote translational research. It currently consists of 10 active members and many supporters. These are women who have experienced breast cancer and help support the projects of the Bay Area Breast Cancer SPORE (Specialized Program Of Research Excellence, a program of the National Cancer Institute). They bring their insight and experience as patients into the SPORE and hence help us deliver better care, design better studies and educate and communicate with our patients.

The Advocacy Core has become an even more service-focused core in order to provide a mutually rewarding experience for both advocates and SPORE investigators. These services are primarily focused around research support, education/outreach, tissue acquisition/core issues, clinical trials, and policy issues:
Research Support is provided to Project Investigators to further the translational goals of the SPORE by incorporating advocate involvement and collaboration. Education/Outreach services consist of forums that promote communication, education, and awareness between researchers, patient advocates and the public to make SPORE projects applicable to people with cancer. Clinical Trial services include participation in protocol and informed consent development for UCSF investigator-initiated clinical studies and SPORE projects. Work done by advocates on Tissue usage and acquisition help facilitate increased specimen collection and provide input and review of the use of the tissue collected from breast cancer patients. The Advocacy Core also continues its Policy Issues work by planning and promoting a knowledge base on emerging policy and ethical issues involved in translational research. Strategic Planning involves direct interactions with other SPORE programs, interSPORE activities, and engagement with other advocacy groups.

We are seeking new opportunities to collaborate with more women and potentially men who want to share their experience. Many of you have asked how you can get involved in projects at the BCC. If you are interested in providing input to the research community, consider joining the Breast Advocates.

To learn more about how you can become a Breast Cancer Research Advocate read: UCSF Breast Cancer Research Advocate Opportunity(PDF)

Or, find out from SPORE Advocates about their volunteer experience with the Breast SPORE Advocacy Core in our brochure: BSAC (PDF)

Please contact Sarah Goins at (415) 502-2986 or at sarah.goins@ucsf.edu for more information.