DCI-Led Endometrial Cancer Consortium Hosts Symposium (2.19.21)

PHOTO: A DCI team photo from the first annual "She Dunks on Cancer" event, held in early 2020. From left to right: Clinical dietician Patricia A. Wilkes, MS, RD, LDN, medical family therapist Tracy Berger (Duke Supportive Care & Survivorship), Angeles Secord, MD, MHSc (GynOnc), endometrial cancer survivor Julie Cardillo, and Rebecca Previs, MD (GynOnc)

The multi-institutional Endometrial Cancer Molecularly Targeted Therapy Consortium — launched in 2019 with a $1 million Kay Yow Cancer Fund/V Foundation for Cancer Research grant to Angeles Secord, MD, MHSc, and DCI — is hosting their 2nd annual "She Dunks on Cancer" educational symposium (this time, virtual) on Feb. 19, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The event, which is open to the public, raises awareness and support for research to help women with endometrial cancer live longer and healthier lives. Last year's event raised more than $45,000 for endometrial cancer research.

Endometrial cancer, whose incidence has risen over the past decade, affects mainly post-menopausal women; with 60 being the average age at diagnosis. It's uncommon in women under the age of 45. While this cancer is slightly more common in white women, Black women are more likely to die from it.

According to the latest figures from the American Cancer Society, about 66,570 new cases of cancer of the body of the uterus will be diagnosed in 2021 and about 12,940 women will die from these cancers. [per ACS, these estimates include both endometrial cancers and uterine sarcomas. Up to 10% of uterine body cancers are sarcomas, so the actual numbers for endometrial cancer cases and deaths are slightly lower than these estimates.] There are more than 600,000 survivors of endometrial cancer in the U.S. today.

"The consortium expands our research capabilities by harnessing information about endometrial cancer, including the tumor makeup on a molecular level, what helps endometrial cancers to grow, and treatment outcomes," said Secord. "Our goal with the consortium is to decrease the burden of endometrial cancer, improve survival outcomes, and accelerate research progress."

Experts from the field (clinical, research and supportive care) and endometrial cancer survivor Julie Cardillo will participate in panel discussions on:

• Endometrial Cancer Management
• Managing Chemotherapy, Biologic, and Immunotherapy Side Effects
• Stress Management

Attendees — be they patients, survivors, caregivers, survivors, loved ones or supporters — are encouraged to email questions in advance for the closing Q & A session to Jessie Paradis.

In addition to Duke Cancer Institute, the Endometrial Cancer Molecularly Targeted Therapy Consortium members include the University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Cincinnati, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, New York University, Washington University in St. Louis, Johns Hopkins University, University of California Los Angeles, New York University, The University of Oklahoma, University of Pittsburgh, The Ohio State University, Atrium Health and INOVA.

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