Download 2012 Research and Awareness Community

2012
Research and
Awareness Community
Grant Recipient
Announcement
“ I’m confident the Canadian Breast
Cancer Foundation isn’t alone in its
journey of creating a future without
breast cancer. By working together
with our research and community
grant recipients, we are able to
produce groundbreaking results that
drive advancement, discovery and
hope for women and men alike.”
— Martin Kratz, Board Chair,
Regional Board of Directors
2012 Research Grants: Funded from 2012 to 2015
We are pleased to announce that over $6.8 million has been awarded to 17 Research projects and two one-time investment
research projects that demonstrate high degrees of innovation or novelty in breast cancer research.
University of Manitoba – Dr. Gilbert Arthur
Evaluation of a tropical plant extract as a potential novel treatment or
source of novel cytotoxic agents for the treatment of breast cancer
Acquired resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs or intrinsic resistance to apoptosis by
cancer stem cells (CSC) results in recurrence of most cancers, which means new agents
that kill CSCs need to be developed. Dr. Arthur and his research team have screened
plant extracts from Ghana and discovered Flabellaria paniculata kills proliferating
and confluent JIMT 1 breast cancer cells as well as JIMT 1 CSCs, and may do so by an
apoptosis-independent means.
With funding from this CBCF grant, this University of Manitoba research team lead by
Dr. Arthur is investigating the anticancer characteristics of the Flabellaria paniculata
extract to either develop the extract or its isolated active constituents into effective
novel treatments for breast cancer.
University of Calgary – Dr. Shirin Bonni
Control of EMT and breast cancer metastasis by the Transcriptional
Regulator TCF7L2
Working to provide the foundation to develop novel therapeutic and diagnostic tools in
breast cancer, Dr. Bonni and her research team are focusing on identifying mechanisms
that regulate metastasis through understanding how Epithelial-mesenchymal transition
(EMT) and potentially tumor invasion and metastasis in breast cancer are regulated. This
University of Calgary team is using the CBCF grant funding to study the transcriptional
regulator TCF7L2 and preliminary experiments have shown that stable expression of
TCF7L2 reduces the ability of epithelial cells to undergo EMT. While EMT is fundamental
for normal development, it is believed to be re-initiated in tumors, including breast
cancer, and may play a critical role in metastasis.
University of Alberta – Dr. Gordon Chan
The Role of Mitotic Checkpoint Proteins in Chromosome Instability
in breast cancers
Dr. Chan and his research team are examining whether mislocalization of mitotic
checkpoint proteins account for weakened checkpoint in breast cancer cells and possible
variation of cell fate upon treatment with spindle poisons, such as taxanes. Through this,
the team from the University of Alberta will determine whether kinetochore localization
of mitotic checkpoint proteins is occurring in breast cancer cells and generate novel
mechanistic insight that links kinetochore mitotic checkpoint dynamics to the weakened
checkpoint and cellular response to spindle poison in breast cancer.
University of Alberta – Dr. Christopher Cheeseman
The evaluation of 2,5-Anhydro-D-mannitol Derivatives as potential
Radiotracers for Imaging breast cancer with PET
This multidisciplinary research team lead by Dr. Cheeseman is working to demonstrate
that one or more fructose based analogues can be rapidly transported into breast cancer
cells and metabolically trapped, providing high contrast Positron Emission Tomography
(PET) images with little interference from inflammatory tissue. This new family of probes
has the potential to provide better sensitivity and specificity imaging of both primary and
more importantly secondary lesions allowing small tumours to be identified.
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Prairies/NWT Region Research Grants: Funded from 2012 to 2015
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University of Manitoba – Dr. James Davie
Histone deacetylase inhibitors and alternative RNA splicing
Breast cancer has defects in alternative splicing, contributing to the genesis of the disease.
The team at the University of Manitoba lead by Dr. Davie, has hypothesized epigenetic
regulators act in concert with splicing factors to alter chromatin structure and regulate
alternative splicing of the MCL1, BCL2L1 and SRA1 genes. Understanding the epigenetic
- splicing relationship and the impact of epigenetic modifiers will lead to the genesis
of improved therapies in breast cancer. The knowledge gained from this CBCF funded
project has the potential to provide the framework for a rationale approach in the design
of original pharmaceutical interventions based upon epigenetic therapies.
University of Alberta – Dr. Wendy Duggleby
Living with Hope: development and feasibility evaluation of a Transition
Toolkit for male partners of women with breast cancer
This CBCF funded project will develop and pilot a “Transitions Toolkit” that is a personcentred, online intervention tailored to support male partners of women with breast
cancer. Using the U.K. Medical Research Council Guidelines for Complex Intervention
Development, Dr. Duggleby and her research team will use a transformative mixed
methods study design to determine factors associated with the transitions and quality
of life of male partners of women with breast cancer and increase our understanding of
their hope, self efficacy, transitions and quality of life.
Using the information gathered, an online Transitions Toolkit will be developed and
tested, with the intent of creating a cost-effective, brief, easy-to-use, intervention for
male partners of women with breast cancer to increase hope, confidence in dealing with
adversity and improving quality of life.
University of Saskatchewan – Dr. Azita Haddadi
Targeted chemotherapy for breast cancer
Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) can provide targeted delivery of therapeutic drugs and,
NPs modified with specific recognition molecules, have the potential for selective
targeting and accumulation in tumour cells. Dr. Haddadi and her research team at the
University of Saskatchewan plan to develop NPs loaded with chemotherapeutic agents
and study their potential to recognize and target breast cancer cells in-vitro and in-vivo.
University of Alberta – Dr. Tom Hobman
Role of hAgo2 in breast cancer
Dr. Hobman and his research team at the University of Alberta are working to
understand how the activity of a master gene-regulator, hAgo2 is controlled and
how this relates to its reported functions in oncogenic pathways. Specifically, they are
focused on how protein kinases and phosphatases that modulate the function of hAgo2
in gene silencing, affect its purported role in oncogenesis. This will help determine if
the role hAgo2 plays in metastatic conversion is related to its gene-regulatory function.
If hAgo2 activity is required for metastatic transformation, then inhibitors that target
the enzymatic activity of this protein could be developed to block progression of breast
cancer tumors in early stages.
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Prairies/NWT Region Research Grants: Funded from 2012 to 2015
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University of Lethbridge – Dr. Olga Kovalchuk
Shift work and breast cancer: an epigenetic connection
The disruption of circadian rhythms due to shift work or exposure to light at night has
recently been suggested as a breast carcinogen, as elevated rates of breast cancer
have been reported in groups of shift workers in countries all over the world, including
Canada. Yet, the precise mechanisms of breast cancer induced by circadian rhythm
disruption are elusive. In recent years, the role of epigenetic changes as a cause of
breast cancer has been increasingly recognized. Epigenetic changes are meiotically
heritable and mitotically stable alterations in gene expression that include DNA
methylation, histone modification, and small RNA-mediated effects. Through this CBCF
funded grant, Dr. Kovalchuk, her collaborator Dr. McDonald and her research team
are working to determine if circadian rhythm disruption will cause epigenetic DNA
methylation and small RNAome deregulation in mammary gland tissue. This University
of Lethbridge team is set to establish if epigenetic deregulation may be an underlying
mechanism of breast carcinogenesis induced by circadian disruption that can occur at
early preneoplastic stages of breast carcinogenesis and will progress and accumulate
over time, leading to cancer progression.
University of Calgary – Dr. Ebba Kurz
Impact of Salicylate Co-administration on Chemotherapeutic Efficacy in
breast cancer
At the University of Calgary, Dr. Kurz and her research team recently discovered that
salicylate, the primary metabolite of aspirin, is a novel inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase
IIalpha (topo II), an enzyme that is the target of doxorubicin, a drug widely used in
breast cancer treatment. This finding is potentially troubling as it hints that aspirin and
related drugs may have detrimental effects on some common chemotherapy regimens.
Dr. Kurz and her research team will now investigate the mechanism by which salicylate
inhibits topo II and determine whether other common anti-inflammatory drugs behave
in a similar fashion. They will then examine the in vivo consequences of salicylate
administration on the efficacy of specific breast cancer therapies.
The findings of this CBCF-funded research project will contribute key information that will
help determine whether these common anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs alter
the effectiveness of cancer therapies targeting topo II.
University of Manitoba - Dr. Suresh Mishra
Role of O-GlcNAc modification of EGFR and GLUT1 in breast cancer
Dr. Mishra and his research team are working to provide new insight into the underlying
mechanisms involved in EGFR and GLUT1 function in breast cancer development.
The persistent and uncontrolled cell proliferation that represents the fundamental
nature of cancer involves not only deregulated control of cell proliferation but also
corresponding adjustments of energy metabolism in order to fuel cell growth and
division. Cancer cells limit their energy metabolism largely to glycolysis. This happens to
meet the persistent energy demand and macromolecule requirement by the growing
cancer cells. The redirection of energy metabolism is largely orchestrated by proteins
that are involved in programming the core hallmarks of cancer. One example of this is
increased cell proliferation as a result of enhanced epidermal growth factor receptor
(EGFR) signaling and upregulation of glucose uptake by glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1).
However, it is not known whether reprogrammed metabolism feedback by positively
upregulating EGFR signaling pathway and GLUT1 function creating a vicious circle in favor
of cancer cell survival and proliferation.
A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms would provide opportunities for
the development of novel clinical tools to disrupt the vicious cycle of metabolism and
cell signaling pathways which is critical for cancer phenotype, and provide a rationale
for simultaneous targeting of reprogrammed metabolism and receptor tyrosine kinase
signaling in breast cancer.
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Prairies/NWT Region Research Grants: Funded from 2012 to 2015
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University of Manitoba – Dr. Michael Mowat
The role of Dlc1 in breast epithelial cell polarity and tumor metastasis
Understanding the role the Dlc1 gene plays in tumor progression and the downstream
signalling pathways altered in tumors when this gene is deficient is what Dr. Michael
Mowat and his research team were awarded CBCF grant funding to do. Preliminary
results have shown, the loss of one copy of the Dlc1 gene disrupts the normal lumen
formation seen in primary mammary 3D acini cultures, so this University of Manitoba
team will study the mechanisms for lumen formation and how Dlc1 loss disrupts normal
mammary epithelial cell polarity. Through the understanding gained from this study of
the Dlc1 gene and the impacts on tumor progression and alteration in tumors when this
gene is deficient, novel drugs can be designed to target these effectors.
University of Manitoba/CancerCare Manitoba –
Dr. Leigh Murphy
Determination of the Phosphorylated Estrogen Receptor Alpha Cistrome in
human breast tumour in vivo
Altered transcription programs are a hallmark of cancer, therefore, Dr. Murphy and her
research team recognize establishing the nature and heterogeneity of phosphorylatedERα cistromes in breast tumors in vivo is fundamental to developing and deploying new
effective hormonal therapies. Since current endocrine therapies have a role in breast
cancer prevention, this University of Manitoba team has determined the results may also
have fundamental relevance to developing better prevention approaches.
Their objective is to develop a chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) assay
to determine global phosphorylated ERα cistromes in ER+ breast tumors.
University of Manitoba – Dr. Yvonne Myal
Claudin 1 mislocalization in breast cancer: delineating mechanisms
and outcome
The acquisition of the ability to invade adjacent tissues is a critical event in the
progression of breast cancer as metastases are ultimately responsible for the lethal
aspect of the disease. It is established that modifications of the cytoskeleton and
disorganization of cellular polarity are a prerequisite for cells to initiate their migration
throughout the body. Claudin 1, which belongs to a large family of membrane bound
proteins (tight junction proteins), directly contributes to the integrity of the epidermal
barrier existing between epithelial cells. Dr. Myal and her team of researchers have
shown that Claudin 1 expression is mainly down regulated in invasive human breast
cancer. They have also observed that in some breast cancers, Claudin 1 is mislocalized from the membrane to the cytoplasm of the cancer cells. This team from the
University of Manitoba believes Claudin 1 cytoplasmic localization is controlled by
phosphorylation and contributes to the metastatic potential of breast cancer cells.
This CBCF funded project will define the significance of Claudin 1 cytoplasmic
mislocalization in human breast cancer and identify the mechanisms potentially
involved. Understanding how these changes correlate in vivo with patient outcome
and prognosis will further define their relevance in breast cancer and lead to
opportunities to treat patients with new therapies including specific kinase inhibitors
or activators. Meaning, Claudin 1, in combination with already established biomarkers,
will help better diagnose and fight breast cancer, eventually providing new targets to
eradicate this disease. Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Prairies/NWT Region Research Grants: Funded from 2012 to 2015
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University of Alberta – Dr. Zhixiang Wang
Understanding the mode of action of Trastuzumab to design better therapy
for ErbB2-positive human breast cancer
Dr. Wang and his team know that to design more effective trastuzumab-based therapy
for ErbB2-positive breast cancer and overcome trastuzumab-resistance, it is essential
to understand the molecular mechanisms of trastuzumab therapy. Their CBCF funded
project will explain the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of trastuzumab
and combined trastuzumab therapy in breast cancer and propose a new design for the
combined trastuzumab therapy to make it more efficient and less resistant.
They will do this by first determining the mechanism behind the limitation of
trastuzumab in killing breast cancer cells. They suspect that trastuzumab may only
block the overgrowth of cancer cells, but not be able to actively kill cancer cells because
it only inhibits the growth and survival signals of ErbB2 without interrupting the
growth and survival signals from other ErbB receptors. However, inhibition of ErbB2 by
trastuzumab renders the cancer cells vulnerable to further insult, which opens the door
for using other cancer drugs to effectively kill the cancer cells. They will then determine
which drugs, in combination with trastuzumab, are more effective in killing breast
cancer cells. They will finally design a better combined trastuzumab therapy for breast
cancer patients based on their findings.
University of Saskatchewan – Dr. Yuliang Wu
Molecular Pathogenesis and targeting of BRIP1 in breast cancer
Some inherited DNA changes (mutations) of BRCA1 Interacting Protein 1—BRIP1—cause
breast cancer. Even though the number of BRIP1 clinical mutations and affected breast
cancer patients continue to increase, the mechanism by which BRIP1 mutations lead to
tumorigenesis remains unknown and drugs targeting BRIP1 have not been developed. Dr.
Wu and his research team aim to change that with their CBCF funded grant.
It is known that the binding of BRIP1 to BRCA1 is essential for cells to conduct error-free
homologous recombination DNA repair instead of proceeding down other error-prone
DNA repair pathways. Through this project, this University of Saskatchewan team will
investigate the BRIP1 mutations that are localized in the BRCA1 binding domain to
examine whether these mutations affect the BRIP1-BRCA1 association. Dr. Wu’s lab will
also characterize two other breast cancer causing mutations, V193I and L195P, since
these two mutations are one amino acid apart, the team hopes to determine if this is a
“mutation hot spot”. Furthermore, this project will identify small molecules that modulate
BRIP1’s function with the aim of finding novel chemotherapeutic agents to selectively kill
BRIP1 associated tumor cells.
Collectively, results from this study will provide unique insights into BRIP1 pathogenesis,
and the molecular information derived from this project may be exploited to advance
diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of breast cancer.
University of Alberta – Dr. Atiyah Yahya
Monitoring the response of Spinal Bone Metastases to Palliative Radiotherapy
in breast cancer patients by Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Dr. Yahya and her research team are employing magnetic resonance spectroscopy
(MRS) to obtain more accurate measurements of fat in vertebrae of breast cancer bone
metastases patients prior to and after radiation treatment, investigating whether or not
the results correlate with treatment response.
This project at the University of Alberta examines if MRS can serve as an early
detection method for determining the effectiveness of radiation treatment in breast
cancer patients affected by spinal bone metastases. If MRS proves to be useful in
the early detection of cases where treatment has failed, time will be provided for the
administration of an alternative treatment, thereby potentially improving quality of life
and survival.
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Prairies/NWT Region Research Grants: Funded from 2012 to 2015
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2012 One-Time Investment Grants:
Funded from 2012 to 2015
University of Manitoba – Dr. Thomas Hack
Chair of Psychosocial and Supportive Care Oncology Research
Dr. Hack has established a Research Chair at the University of Manitoba to conduct
innovative and high impact cancer research, develop educational initiatives for frontline nurses in oncology and build the next generation of psychosocial oncology
researchers by supporting graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.
This Research Chair will enable the candidate to conduct research while working
collaboratively with researchers, health professionals, administrators, cancer patients,
patient advocacy groups and other stakeholders to improve the lives of those impacted
by breast cancer within the Prairie/NWT Region, and at national and international
levels. He will also address the needs of oncology nurses in the Region for education to
effectively address the psycho-educational concerns of their cancer patients.
University of Alberta – Dr. Judith Hugh
Finding the tipping point: new diagnostic Biomarker Strategies for Estrogen
Receptor Positive breast cancer patients
Seventy-six percent of breast cancers are “luminal”, meaning the tumor cells contain
the estrogen receptor protein allowing them to use the patient’s own estrogen to grow.
The standard treatment for luminal tumors is to block the estrogen growth effect with
"anti-estrogens". However, there are two types of luminal tumors, luminal A and luminal
B. Previously, Dr. Hugh and her research team found that luminal A patients could be
treated with anti-estrogens and spared the toxicity of chemotherapy, while luminal B
patients require chemotherapy. With their CBCF funded grant, this University of Alberta
team is testing newer genetic-based factors to define specific diagnostic tests or
biomarkers to discriminate between known luminal A and B cancers. They are working
to devise an improved test to define luminal A and B cancer groups to be used as a tool
to directly and immediately impact patient care by preventing unwarranted exposure to
chemotherapy in luminal A patients while ensuring that luminal B patients, who require
chemotherapy, are treated in a timelier manner.
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Prairies/NWT Region Research Grants: Funded from 2012 to 2015
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2012 Breast Health Education and Awareness
Community Grants: Funded from 2012 to 2014
Before and After Breast Surgery Education Sessions
Host Organization: Alberta Health Services, Cancer Care
About The Project: The Comprehensive Breast Care Program (CBCP) provides virtual
support from suspicion of breast cancer through to treatment. The specific area of this
project is the development and implementation of an in-person component that is
outside normal services to provide a “Before Breast Surgery Education Session” and an
“After Breast Surgery Education Session” to patients of the program. It is believed that,
while the virtual program is beneficial to patients, adding a face-to-face component and
an opportunity to gather with peers who are also at the vulnerable stage of just having
been diagnosed, will improve care for patients and increase program efficiency.
The intended outcome is a vetted curriculum, a final evaluation report and continuous
improvements to the initial work in order to recommend to the Alberta Health Services
Cancer Care leadership the efficacy and value of incorporating an in-person education
component into operations for the Comprehensive Breast Care Program and by
extension the provincial breast framework.
Community Breast Cancer and Sur4vivorship
Outreach Program
Host Organization: Calgary Breast Health Program
About The Project: Two years ago, reorganization within AHS saw a number of
programs and clinics amalgamated under the management of Women’s Health
Ambulatory Care. The Calgary Breast Health Program (CBHP) and Women’s Health
Resources (WHR) are two programs which now share a manager allowing the
opportunity for synergies between programs. Within WHR is a part-time Outreach
Coordinator who successfully works with women in immigrant and disadvantaged
communities within the city. Current Outreach programming includes education
programs on breast screening however there are few community based programs that
exist for immigrant women once diagnosed with cancer and none for breast cancer
survivorship. In the recent past, the CBHP has worked with the Calgary Chinese Citizens
Association (CCCSA) to develop Chinese translations of materials and programs for
the Chinese population in Calgary. The aim of this project would be to create similar
outreach programs, using contacts and the expertise of the current Women’s Health
Outreach worker to facilitate information, education and support programs for
diagnosed breast cancer and survivors of breast cancer in less organized community
groups. Other disadvantaged populations which this program could potentially serve
include incarcerated women.
This project would require funding for a part-time term position that would serve as
a trainer for not for profit and cultural community groups who would like to access
current materials and receive training for health providers in their retrospective
communities.
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Prairies/NWT Region
Breast Health Education and Awareness Community Grants: Funded from 2012 to 2014
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Multicultural Breast Health Social Media Project
Host Organization: ASSIST Community Services Centre
About The Project: The Multicultural Breast Health Project (MBH) serves hard to reach
individuals belonging to various ethno-cultural communities in and around Edmonton.
Our focus would remain the dissemination of breast health knowledge in the six immigrant
communities that we serve namely Arabic, Chinese, South Asian, Spanish, Somali and
Vietnamese and providing support to breast cancer survivors in these communities. We
have developed some new strategies to further our mission. These strategies include the
use of social media and provision of support services to cancer patients.
For the on-line promotion of breast health, we want to use social media to promote
our services. This would boost our awareness campaign and community engagement
efforts. Social media tools would allow us to reach out to our targeted population
group in a new dimension.
We would work collaboratively with hospitals/Cancer Support Services in providing support
to breast cancer patients from different immigrant communities, our educators providing
additional support to breast cancer patients in their pre and post surgery sessions. The
educators would act as interpreters and be able to connect with women who might need
their help on their cancer journey.
We also provide comfort and support to breast cancer patients/survivors through one-toone support or through a support group. Recently our one-to-one support with the breast
cancer patients in the Arabic and South Asian Community has shown that our educators
need to acquire additional skills like “supportive counseling” to lower the psychological
stress of breast cancer patients. In this regard, training in ‘Supportive Counseling’ of the
educators would prove extremely beneficial to the women we serve.
Team Shan Manitoba and Saskatchewan Breast
Cancer Awareness for Young Women Project
Host Organization: Team Shan Breast Cancer Awareness for Young Women
About The Project: The Team Shan Manitoba & Saskatchewan Breast Cancer Awareness
for Young Women Project (TSMSBCAYWP) will expand on previous projects targeting
young women attending post secondary schools in the prairies to include the University
of Saskatchewan and University of Regina in 2012, and University of Winnipeg, University
of Manitoba and Red River College in 2013. The project will use the successful Team Shan
Larsen
was
only 24 to increase young women’s awareness for their breast
socialShanna
marketing
model
designed
when she lost her life to breast cancer
cancer risk and expand their knowledge of breast cancer facts, risk factors, symptoms and
self help strategies.
teamshan.ca
Project activities
will feature a media/marketing campaign on and around the U of S
campus and a multifaceted media/marketing campaign at the identified post secondary
school sites in Regina and Winnipeg. The project awareness campaigns will launch in
October to coincide with breast cancer awareness month and run for six weeks in the
falls of 2012 and 2013.
Feedback from the 2010 and 2011 awareness campaigns reported positive outcomes
with a recommendation from young women and project partners for more breast
cancer awareness on campuses. Young women from previous project evaluations
reported a measurable increase in breast cancer awareness and increased knowledge
of breast cancer topic areas. Young women have understood their risk of breast cancer,
appreciated not being forgotten in breast cancer messaging and have responded to
the Team Shan marketing model. Shan’s face and story have resonated with the young
women. Post secondary institutions have been ideal sites to reach young women with
this important breast health information.
Measurable outcomes for the project will include reported change in target population
breast cancer knowledge level; reported change in target population breast cancer facts,
risk factors, symptoms and self help awareness level and reported target population
response to the campaign media/marketing activities.
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Prairies/NWT Region
Breast Health Education and Awareness Community Grants: Funded from 2012 to 2014
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YWCA Encore after Breast Cancer Exercise Program
Host Organization: YWCA Saskatoon
About The Project: YWCAEncore is a free, eight week program designed by medical
specialists specifically for women who have experienced breast cancer. YWCAEncore
incorporates gentle exercises and relaxation techniques with information and support
and is safe, fun, and therapeutic. Not only do these exercises improve participant’s
strength, mobility and flexibility, the warm water hydrotherapy sessions relieve stiff and
sore muscles affected by treatment and lack of activity.
YWCAEncore sessions are comprised of one, two-hour session once per week for eight
weeks led by two fully trained YWCAEncore facilitators. The program accommodates
a minimum of six and a maximum of 14 participants. One facilitator leads the exercises
and social sessions while the other observes participants, ensuring proper technique
during the exercises as well as observing participants in emotionally charged situations
and attending to their needs accordingly. YWCA Saskatoon’s instructors attended a
20 hour training course delivered by YWCA Halifax in the fall of 2010. The sessions are
comprised of 15 minutes of sharing time, a 45 minute guest speaker followed by 30
minutes of land exercises and 30 minutes of water exercises. Health topics covered by
the guest speakers include, but are not limited to, lymphedema, benefits of massage,
sexual health, nutrition and follow up exercise programs.
The goal of YWCAEncore is to provide a supportive and therapeutic exercise program,
delivered in nonmedical surroundings, for women of any age, who have experienced
breast cancer and its treatment. The objectives of this program include participants
sharing common experiences and concerns with other women who understand each
other’s journey. Outcomes of this program include, but are not limited to, improving the
quality of life, self-efficacy, self-esteem and physical fitness of participants through an
increase in psycho-social opportunities and specific exercises in a supportive and nonmedical environment.
This program is licensed and regulated by YWCA Halifax. Each YWCAEncore site is
required to adhere to the program as outlined and must submit all evaluation forms
completed by participants. In addition, YWCAEncore facilitators are also required
to complete an evaluation after the delivery of their first program as well as provide
ongoing feedback to YWCA Halifax.
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Prairies/NWT Region
Breast Health Education and Awareness Community Grants: Funded from 2012 to 2014
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