Advocacy in State Government
Session 3, Monday 2:30 p.m.
Learn to identify the key supporters and discover the differences between lobbying members of Congress and working with state legislators.
Recommended for first time attendees.

NEW ! Best Practices in Breast Cancer Advocacy: Model Programs
Session 2, Sunday 2:00 p.m.
Learn about systems change from NBCCF Best Practice Awardees who have created and implemented highly successful programs in breast cancer research, access, and public policy.

NEW ! Beyond BRCA1 and BRCA2: Genetic Predisposition to Breast Cancer
Session 1, Sunday 10:45 a.m.
Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are well established risk factors for breast cancer. A variety of other genes associated with increased risk of breast cancer and tests to identify them are under investigation. This session explores the evidence on these genes and where we are in genetic testing. LEAD Graduates Only

NEW ! Blogging for a Cause
Session 3, Monday 2:30 p.m.
Blogs are a new tool in the advocate’s online toolkit. How do you launch one – and attract the right audience? What should you write about? Hear three successful bloggers discuss why they blog, how they got started and what they get from blogging. Hear from a social networking strategy expert on the role of bloggers online and in the print media. Use the power of blogs to reach new and different audiences in the mission to eradicate breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Treatment: New and Emerging Therapies
Session 1, Sunday 10:45 a.m.
Learn how to navigate your way through the evergrowing maze of new and emerging breast cancer therapies. Understand the biologic mechanisms and the evidence substantiating the effectiveness of the many classes of drugs and targeted therapies used in breast cancer treatment. Hear current issues on screening, imaging, and surgical modalities as well.

NEW ! Breast Cancer Vaccine Research: An Update
Session 2, Sunday 2:00 p.m.
Vaccines to prevent cancer work by strengthening the body’s immune system to stimulate an antibody and a cellular response against cancer cells. The recent approval and widespread use of a cervical cancer vaccine, highlights the promise. Hear the progress and challenges in research on breast cancer vaccines. LEAD Graduates Only

Can Nonprofit Organizations Advocate? YES!
Session 3, Monday 2:30 p.m.
Learn how tax-exempt organizations should engage in the public policy process. Experts provide an in-depth overview of nonprofits’ advocacy options and how to advocate for NBCC’s legislative agenda and still maintain your tax-exempt status.

NEW ! Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Institute of Medicine Report
Session 2, Sunday 2:00 p.m.
Cancer care that is solely focused on eliminating tumors, falls short of achieving quality care and can harm a patient’s well-being. The Institute of Medicine’s aims for healthcare and NBCCF’s core values for breast cancer care have helped define the elements of quality care. Learn how the IOM proposes to integrate these elements to achieve quality care.

NEW ! Center of Excellence: Research on Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis
Session 2, Sunday 2:00 p.m.
One of the achievements of the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program has been the development of Centers of Excellence focusing on specific areas of breast cancer research. Learn about the innovative research of the Metastasis Center of Excellence from key staff and advocates involved in the research process.

NEW ! Centers for Environment and Breast Cancer Research: A Progress Report
Session 1, Sunday 10:45 a.m.
In 2003, in response to NBCC’s advocacy, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) funded four research centers to study environmental exposures relevant to breast cancer. This session will provide a status report on these programs.

Comparative Effectiveness: What Will it Mean for Healthcare Reform?
Session 3, Monday 2:30 p.m.
What is the role of comparative effectiveness research in healthcare reform proposals? Why is this approach important to consumers in decision-making? Explore how comparative effectiveness research aids in healthcare policy-making and decision-making.

NEW ! Complementary and Alternative Medicine: What Does the Evidence Show?
Session 2, Sunday 2:00 p.m. &
Session 3, Monday 2:30 p.m.
Learn about the complex efforts to apply scientifically rigorous research to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Learn which CAM interventions are being studied in breast cancer and opportunities to get involved in shaping the quality of research in this field.

NEW ! Computer Tools for the Clinic: Using Evidence in Decision-making
Session 1, Sunday 10:45 a.m.
From Adjuvant Online! to gene-based tests, more and more tools are becoming available to help patients make decisions about their treatment plans. Examine the range of these tools, the evidence underlying them, and the evolution of personalized medicine.

NEW ! Imaging, Cancer Screening, and Surrounding Myths
Session 2, Sunday 2:00 p.m.
The use of cutting-edge imaging technology and other screening tests is expanding throughout the health care sector. What is the evidence for these tools – in breast cancer and in other kinds of cancer - and are they being appropriately used?

Expanding your Breast Cancer Advocacy Network
Session 3, Monday 2:30 p.m.
Join a discussion with people who have built effective local advocacy groups. Share your current challenges, hear others’ successful strategies, and develop your own network expansion.

NEW ! Exploring the Role of Stem Cells in Breast Cancer
Session 3, Monday 2:30 p.m.
Some research suggests that the role of tumor stem cells may lead to the development of new drugs to target breast and other cancers. However, other studies and improvements in detection assays show the evidence is still evolving and a variety of theories exist. Hear an examination of these different approaches and the implications for stem cell theory and the development of stem cell targeted treatments. LEAD Graduates Only

NEW ! Gene Expression Profiling: What Does it Really Mean?
Session 1, Sunday 10:45 a.m.
Tests like Oncotype Dx® and MammaPrint® and a growing body of research on molecular subtypes of breast cancer are based on the technology of gene expression profiling or microarray technology. This interactive workshop explains how these tests work and how to interpret research based on this technology.

Healthcare Reform 101: Guaranteed Access to Quality Health Care
Session 2, Sunday 2:00 p.m.
NBCC’s framework for comprehensive health care reform is forming the basis for assessing legislative reform proposals currently under debate. Learn how these proposals stack up and sharpen your advocacy skills and knowledge needed to help achieve NBCC’s #1 priority: guaranteed access to quality health care for all.

NEW ! Health Information Technology: Building the Information Highway
Session 1, Sunday 10:45 a.m.
Access to and use of personal health information is a component of NBCCF’s framework for health care reform. A major national effort is underway to create health information technology that will improve on health outcomes, quality care and lower cost. Participants will examine current proposals and legislation for HIT, the challenges it poses and its place in health care reform.

NEW ! NBCCF’s New Center for Advocacy Training: How Can You Get Involved?
Session 2, Sunday 2:00 p.m.
NBCCF has broken ground and overcome many barriers in its science and advocacy training work. Project LEAD® graduates have changed the way research is done. Now NBCCF is transforming its renowned Project LEAD® into something truly revolutionary. Hear what’s happening, provide your feedback and learn how to get involved.

Nuts and Bolts of Congress
Session 1, Sunday 10:45 a.m.
Learn the basics of how a bill moves through Congress, how the appropriations and budget processes work and how Congressional committees, subcommittees and staff offices are structured. Recommended for first time attendees

NEW ! Roundtable on Evidence-Based Medicine: Influence and Action
Session 3, Monday 2:30 p.m.
The Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Roundtable on Evidence-Based Medicine has a goal for 2020 to have ninety percent of clinical decisions supported by accurate, up-to-date clinical information reflecting the best available evidence. Learn about this multi-stakeholder group’s work including the role of NBCC advocates in this process.

Starting Breast Cancer Advocacy in Your Community
Session 1, Sunday 10:45 a.m.
Breast cancer advocates who have started local groups will share what it takes to unite local breast cancer activists into an organized group to achieve common goals. This workshop will focus on how to get started. Recommended for first time attendees

Strategies for Effective Lobbying
Session 3, Monday 2:30 p.m.
Get advice from congressional staff, professional lobbyists and experienced activists on how to “get your foot in the door,” handle difficult situations and effectively achieve the goal. Hear highlights of some of NBCC’s past legislative victories, as well as its current legislative priorities. Learn how the legislative process really works. (Attend “Nuts and Bolts of Congress” prior) Recommended for first time attendees

Systems Change for Activists
Session 1, Sunday 10:45 a.m.
Learn how to make your organization’s and your efforts to change systems truly effective. Learn what a system is and how systems can be changed by breaking them down into their relevant components. Understand change theories and how change is best created. How do you identify leverage points? What is a tipping point? Evaluate several examples of systems change.

NEW ! Understanding All Those Breast Cancer Statistics
Session 2, Sunday 2:00 p.m.
Lifetime risk of 1 in 8. 20% increased risk of breast cancer. Relative vs absolute risk. Mortality vs survival. P-values. What do these numbers and concepts really mean? Learn how to interpret the statistics you read in newspapers and research papers. If numbers are not your thing – this session is for you!

When Seconds Count: How to Successfully Pitch Your Media Story
Session 2, Sunday 2:00 p.m.
When a reporter, editor or producer gives you 30 seconds on the phone (or three lines in an email) to sell your story, how do you catch her attention? What should you do before, during and after the call to improve the chance the story runs? This workshop teaches you the art of successful media outreach and messaging. There will be role-playing simulations and tips to help prepare you for the interview you just landed.