Improving Outcomes for Breast Cancer Survivors

Patricia A. Ganz, MD, currently holds an American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professorship, and is Professor in the UCLA Schools of Medicine and Public Health. For over 30 years, Dr. Ganz has been doing systematic research on the health-related quality of life impact of cancer and its treatment. Through her research she has contributed to the understanding of how women adjust to the diagnosis of breast cancer, including its effects on their physical, emotional, social, and sexual well-being. Her current research focuses on understanding the biological mechanisms associated with the development of post-treatment fatigue and cognitive dysfunction, along with the development and testing of interventions to mitigate these symptoms in breast cancer patients and survivors.  Dr. Ganz is a founding member of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), and was previously awarded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation's Jill Rose Award and the Susan G. Komen Professor of Survivorship. Dr. Ganz is the first recipient of the ASCO Professorship in Breast Cancer Comparative Effectiveness Research. Dr. Ganz serves as Deputy Editor for the Journal of the National Cancer Institute and Associate Editor of CA-A Journal for Clinicians. She has also been actively involved in measurement of quality of life endpoints in clinical trials, with leadership roles in the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), and now NRG Oncology. She has published over 390 scientific papers, countless book chapters, and she has also edited two books with Springer. She has received over 22,800 citations in her career.

"This book was written to disseminate the findings of the investigative work as well as the programs of the BRCF to all those concerned - doctors involved in caring for breast cancer patients, their families and friends, and anyone who wants to learn more about this deadly disease. ... All in all, this is a highly informative book." (Nano Khilnani, Biz India Online News, bizindia.net, August, 2015)

• Introduction: Breast Cancer Survivorship Research- Where are we today?.- Special Issues in Younger Women.- Special Issues in Older Women.- Breast Cancer Among Special Populations: Disparities in Care Across the Cancer Control Continuum.- Symptoms: Fatigue and Cognitive Dysfunction.- Symptoms: Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy.- Symptoms: Aromatase Inhibitor Induced Arthralgias.- Symptoms: Lymphedema.- Symptoms: Menopause, Infertility and Sexual Health.- Host Factors and Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence:  Genetic, epigenetic and biologic factors and breast cancer outcomes.- Comorbidities and their Management:  Potential Impact on Breast Cancer Outcomes.- Modifiable Lifestyle Factors and Breast Cancer Outcomes: Current Controversies and Research Recommendations.- Risk reduction from Weight management and physical activity interventions.- Prevention and Treatment of Cardiac Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Survivors.- Psychological Adjustment in Breast Cancer Survivors.- Living with metastatic breast cancer.- Quality of care, including survivorship care plans.