February 7, 2017

What’s my Breast Cancer Story?

Antoine Abugaber of the Breast Cancer Society of Canada shares his story

As a cancer researcher and an international renowned artist, I want to be able to one day say “we have finally found a cure for breast cancer. That really would be an amazing day.”

Today, I serve on the BCSC’s board because I want to make a difference. I want to save the lives of breast cancer patients and decided, long ago, to use my scientific knowledge to do so.

So what’s my story? It really isn’t unique. We all have family members, friends, work colleagues and neighbours that are suffering or have suffered from this disease. And we’ve unfortunately lost many of them too. Knowing that 1 in 9 women will likely develop breast cancer in her lifetime—that is a startling statistic that needs to change.

As a researcher, I have been able to contribute to the international clinical development of five breast cancer drugs that have improved the survival rate in thousands of patients around the world and I am humbled by that personal and professional accomplishment. Today, I continue my life journey as the Board Chair of the Breast Cancer Society of Canada—an organization dedicated to patient-focused research that continues to make a significant difference in the lives of people suffering and surviving breast cancer.

BCSC works with organizations, institutions, research groups and individuals in an effort to cure all manifestations of breast cancer. We have made great strides, but there is a lot of work that still needs to be done. Putting an end to breast cancer can only be achieved through research, which is why BCSC is focused on funding breast cancer research and care across Canada.

There is hope. And we can do this. Let’s work together to make it happen.

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