The Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences – a new award established by Art Levinson, Sergey Brin, Anne Wojcicki, Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan, and Yuri Milner – was awarded to physician-scientist Charles Sawyers.
Gynecologic oncologist Martee Hensley discussed the importance of fundraising events like Cycle for Survival, which raises money for rare cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering.
Visible Ink founder Judith Kelman discussed the Memorial Sloan-Kettering program she runs that connects patients with experienced writers, editors, and teachers to help them tell their stories in writing.
Medical oncologist Michael Morris commented on a study that found that men with high-risk prostate cancer treated with only 18 months of hormone therapy live just as long as those treated for a standard 36 months.
Medical oncologists Mark Kris and Larry Norton and cancer biologist Joan Massagué discussed a revolution currently taking place in cancer care – tailoring treatments for specific individuals based on their tumor’s molecular makeup.
Medical oncologist Kenneth Yu spoke about a study he led that suggests that a simple blood test may be able to predict which chemotherapy regimen will work for some patients with pancreatic cancer.
Claudia Ayash, co-director of Memorial Sloan-Kettering’s Arab American Breast Cancer Education and Referral Program, spoke about the breast cancer screening obstacles some Arab American women face.
Biostatistician Colin Begg commented on a study that found that newer and more expensive breast cancer screening methods may not benefit women over age 65.
Director of Memorial Sloan-Kettering’s Center for Health Policy and OutcomesPeter Bach commented on a study that found that medical school debt may influence the type of medicine young doctors go on to practice.
