National Consortium of Breast Centers

09/11/2026

NCBC Advocacy Spotlight: Janice Workcuff

The National Consortium of Breast Centers is proud to spotlight Janice Workcuff, founder of Angels Surviving Breast Cancer, whose dedication to breast cancer advocacy and survivorship continues to make a meaningful difference in the community.

Through her work, Janice has created a space where survivors can find support, encouragement, connection, and hope, reminding us that no one should have to face breast cancer alone.

Her commitment to empowering survivors and giving a voice to those affected by breast cancer represents the heart of advocacy. Janice has transformed her passion into purpose and continues to use that purpose to uplift and support others.

Thank you, Janice, for your compassion, leadership, and continued commitment to the breast cancer community.

NCBC celebrates advocates like Janice who inspire action, strengthen communities, and help ensure that every person affected by breast cancer feels seen, supported, and empowered.

09/10/2026

Breast Cancer Research Is Changing Treatment Today

Breast cancer research continues to transform care—bringing more personalized treatment options, better understanding of tumor biology, and new therapies to patients.

From biomarker testing that can help guide treatment decisions to innovative therapies such as antibody-drug conjugates, advances in research are giving clinicians more tools to tailor care to each patient.

For patients, asking questions matters. Understanding whether appropriate biomarker testing has been completed—and how those results may influence treatment—can help support informed conversations with the care team.

Read more from CURE:

https://www.curetoday.com/view/how-breast-cancer-research-is-changing-treatment-for-patients-today?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Breast oncologist Dr. Zunairah Shah explains how breast cancer research is improving treatment, biomarker testing and options such as antibody-drug conjugates.

09/09/2026

Breast cancer surveillance is becoming more personalized.

A new ASCO guideline update recommends a risk-based approach to breast cancer surveillance, emphasizing that follow-up care should be tailored to an individual’s risk and clinical circumstances.

The update highlights the importance of informed, personalized surveillance strategies to support early detection and improve long-term care for breast cancer survivors.

Read more from Targeted Oncology:

https://www.targetedonc.com/view/asco-guideline-update-recommends-risk-based-breast-cancer-surveillance?utm_source=chatgpt.com

ASCO's updated guideline on breast cancer follow-up recommends risk-based surveillance intensity and selective mammography rather than one-size-fits-all follow-up.

09/08/2026

The National Consortium of Breast Centers honors the life and legacy of Dr. Harold P. Freeman, a visionary surgeon, champion for health equity, and pioneer of patient navigation.

In 1990, Dr. Freeman established the nation’s first patient navigation program at Harlem Hospital after recognizing the barriers that prevented many patients from receiving timely breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. His groundbreaking work demonstrated the power of navigation to help patients overcome barriers and access the care they deserve.

Today, patient navigation is an essential part of cancer care. Dr. Freeman’s vision continues through the thousands of navigators working every day to connect patients with care, resources, and hope.

His legacy reminds us that no one should have to navigate cancer alone.

NCBC extends our deepest condolences to Dr. Freeman’s family, colleagues, and the countless patients, navigators, and healthcare professionals whose lives were touched by his extraordinary work.

Thank you, Dr. Freeman, for showing us what it means to remove barriers and make equitable cancer care possible.

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day from the National Consortium of Breast Centers!

Today, we recognize and celebrate the dedication, compassion, and hard work of the healthcare professionals, patient navigators, researchers, advocates, and caregivers who work tirelessly to improve breast health and cancer care.

Your commitment makes a difference for every patient supported, every barrier addressed, and every life touched brings us closer to a future where everyone has access to high-quality, compassionate breast care.

Thank you for all that you do.

Wishing our NCBC community a safe, restful, and meaningful Labor Day!

09/05/2026

Every patient deserves to understand their breast cancer risk.

New research highlights important barriers transgender and gender-diverse individuals may face when it comes to breast/chest cancer risk assessment—particularly around gender-affirming mastectomy and genetic risk.

The study points to the need for:

• Clear, evidence-based guidance

• Standardized approaches to cancer risk assessment

• Greater access to genetic counseling

• Better communication before and after gender-affirming surgery

• Healthcare systems designed to provide inclusive, informed care

Cancer prevention and early detection should be accessible to everyone. Understanding individual risk and having the information needed to make informed healthcare decisions can make a meaningful difference.

Read the article:

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-barriers-transgender-individuals-breast-cancer.html

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Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals experience significant health care disparities across the oncology spectrum of care. Systemic barriers, past harmful health care experiences, the sociopolitical climate and other impediments to accessing health care combine to influence these disparit...

09/04/2026

A cancer risk many women may not know about

How much do you really know about the factors that can increase your risk of breast cancer?

Awareness is the first step toward informed conversations with your healthcare team. Understanding your personal risk can help you make decisions about prevention, screening, and early detection.

👉 Take a moment to review this important discussion from Targeted Oncology and share it with the women in your life.

https://www.targetedonc.com/shorts/most-women-don-t-know-this-major-cancer-risk

Research reveals a startling disconnect: less than 30% of young adult women are aware that alcohol consumption is a proven risk factor for breast cancer. This investigation delves into the critical data behind that statistic and explores potential interventions designed to raise awareness and ultima...

09/02/2026

What’s standing between patients and completing their breast cancer screening?

A new study in BMJ Open Quality highlights how system-level barriers can make it harder for patients to complete recommended breast cancer screening—even when community-based navigation is in place.

From access and scheduling challenges to communication and healthcare system barriers, understanding these obstacles is essential to improving screening completion and reducing disparities.

Patient navigation can make a difference—but we also need to address the systems that create barriers in the first place.

Read the study and learn more about lessons from a quality improvement initiative:

Read the BMJ Open Quality study

https://bmjopenquality.bmj.com/content/15/3/e004170

08/31/2026

JOIN US TONIGHT! Navigator Connect: Live with Kristi

Tonight, Monday, August 31, Host Kristi M. Denny welcomes renowned breast surgical oncologist Dr. Jay Harness for an engaging conversation created especially for oncology navigators.

Bring your questions! Join us for an open Q&A and a real conversation about the important role of exercise in cancer care and survivorship.

Dr. Harness will share insights on how exercise may help cancer patients with fatigue, physical function, quality of life, mental health, and potentially recurrence risk—while emphasizing the importance of tailoring exercise to each individual.

Real conversations. Real navigators. Real impact.

TONIGHT — Monday, August 31
4 PM PST | 6 PM CST | 7 PM EST
Live on Zoom

👉 Register now:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OfleD2hrTe-Ne2BsM26szw #/registration

Presented by the National Consortium of Breast Centers and Interdisciplinary Cancer Care.

08/31/2026

Could GLP-1 Medications Be Linked to Lower Breast Cancer Risk?

A new study is drawing attention to a potential connection between popular GLP-1 medications used for weight management and breast cancer risk.

Researchers found that people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists had an approximately 30% lower risk of developing breast cancer compared with those not taking these medications.

While these findings are promising, they do not mean GLP-1 medications prevent breast cancer, and more research is needed to understand the relationship and determine whether the medications themselves are responsible for the observed association.

As research continues to explore the connections between weight, metabolic health, and cancer risk, staying informed is an important part of making informed health decisions.

Read the article:

Popular GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs Linked to 30% Lower Breast Cancer Risk

New research suggests GLP-1 medications may be associated with a lower likelihood of developing breast cancer.