Clinical Breast Care Project
"Without CBCP's tissue bank, our collaborators wouldn't have meaningful specimens to which they could apply their technologies."—CBCP Director Colonel Craig Shriver, M.D.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, excluding skin cancer. More than 15% of active duty military personnel are women. Add to that the number of Armed Services dependants who are women and it becomes apparent that breast cancer is both a civilian and a military concern.
Researchers and clinicians in the Clinical Breast Care Project (CBCP) work to fight breast disease. CBCP's efforts address the full spectrum of care, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and research.
Multifaceted Approach to Breast Disease
The program conducts a risk reduction clinic designed to identify those at increased risk of developing breast cancer, and to provide treatment, education and counseling. CBCP staff also provide comprehensive clinical care in a specially designed and nurturing environment. Their "nurse navigator" program ensures that patients receive personalized care and support throughout their treatment.
Another of the program's priorities is developing new therapies for breast cancer. CBCP conducted the first true vaccine trials to decrease recurrence of breast cancer after treatment.
Collecting Critical Samples
A key component of CBCP's research program is its tissue bank and informatics program. The bank—a repository of tissue and serum/blood samples donated by patients—has been heralded as the world's finest breast disease biorepository. It includes nearly 19,000 specimens, approximately 85% of which were donated by patients seen at CBCP's Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) site.
The tissue bank creates opportunities for synergies with other high-profile research programs. Using CBCP's biorepository, investigators can apply their own technologies to conduct critical cancer research.
CBCP is a collaboration among USU, WRAMC, Windber Medical Center and HJF.