October, 2024

Dear Friends,

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I would like to take this opportunity to share with you just a few of the activities our community members are engaged in to help improve outcomes for breast cancer patients. Thank you to all who are working around the world to advance cancer care!

Sincerely,

April

April Pinner, MSPH, RD

Executive Director

Partner Spotlight

"Receiving the ASCO Global Oncology Young Investigator Award and grant with the support and guidance of ASCO and HVO has been my biggest career milestone. While working with underprivileged cancer patients during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, I noticed a high incidence of breast cancer among women of Mongolian descent. Encouraged by HVO volunteers, I was inspired to look for molecular characteristics in these patients, which led to receiving the award and grant to conduct further research. The study is ongoing and shows evidence of genetic mutations and novel genes. The results of our study will help us gain insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer, enrich our knowledge of predisposing variants among different ethnic groups, provide data for the identification of susceptibility genes, and establish a clinical model of genetic screening in Nepalese women.

My story with HVO has just begun and doesn’t end here. I have a lot more to share. Thank you once again for all your support. I really appreciate what you all are doing for people like us, to help us achieve our goals in from resource-limited settings."

- SONIYA DULAL, MD

Dr. Soniya Dulal is committed to improving outcomes for breast cancer patients in her home country of Nepal. She has worked with several HVO volunteers over the years, including Dr. Michael Martin (who she nominated for a 2024 HVO Golden Apple Award for his contributions to both her and her hospital), Dr. Ian Tannock, Dr. Lori Wood, and Dr. Prakash Neupane. Currently, she is working with Dr. Melanie Thomas, who is on a Fulbright Scholarship, on a curriculum for medical oncologists at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. In 2023, Dr. Dulal was recognized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology for her research on breast cancer patients of Mongolian descent. 

Share Your E-Volunteer Hours

If you provided e-learning from July 1-September 30, 2024, please take a few seconds to report your volunteer hours by clicking here. Examples of e-learning activities include lectures, case consultations, content development, and mentorship. If you participated in more than one e-learning project, please complete a separate form for each project. Thank you for your helping us track the contributions of our volunteers!

Collaborating On Cancer Patient Care

In September 2024, HVO and partners at Hue Central Hospital and Da Nang Oncology Hospital launched a series of monthly virtual case discussions. Volunteers meet on Zoom to consult and provide input on difficult cases or patients oncologists are treating. The first session focused on a breast cancer case, a 38-year-old female patient. Volunteers and partners discussed management strategies for lymphedema, radiation dermatitis, and other skin issues caused by cancer treatments. In addition, volunteers emphasized the integral role of oncology nurses in symptom assessment and management and optimizing quality of life.

The HVO Blog

Jill Binkley, PT, MSc, CLT traveled to Hanoi, Vietnam in October 2023 to provide physical therapy training to staff the National Cancer Hospital (K Hospital). Part of her training included a focus on breast cancer.

Volunteer Opportunities