Theme
Progression, Recurrence: Prevention through better understanding
The ninth edition of the Breast Health Forum will explore the various mechanisms behind breast cancer’s ability to develop, spread, and recur. We will highlight the most recent advances in understanding cancer cell behaviour, treating the disease, and preventing its progression.
MAY 3, 2025 – 9:00 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M.
Marché Bonsecours, 350 rue St-Paul Est, Montréal, Québec, H2Y 1H2
In person ticket
Virtual ticket
Hostess
Martine Côté
Director of Communications, Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation
SCHEDULE
8 A.M. : DOORS OPEN
Visite des kiosques
9 – 9:15 A.M. : OPENING REMARKS
Introduction and presentation of the event.
9:15 – 10 A.M. : LECTURES – PITCH COMPETITION
PRESENTED BY LA ROCHE-POSAY
Breast cancer origins and progression: mechanisms and survival
After a brief review of the fundamentals of breast cancer formation, students will provide short, easy-to-understand presentations on the various mechanisms that allow cancer cells to develop and spread locally and more widely. Learn also about the latest advances in fundamental research, which shed light on our understanding of cancer cell behaviour.
Anne Blouin,
Doctoral student in experimental medicine,
Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute
Anne-Marie Fortier,
Research Associate,
Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute
Charlotte Girondel,
Post-doctoral fellow,
Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute
Sandrine Busque,
Doctoral student in biochemistry,
Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute
Sébastien Tabariès,
Research Associate,
Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute
10 – 10:05 A.M. : PITCH COMPETITION AWARDS
25 MINUTES BREAK
10:30 – NOON : PANEL DISCUSSION
PRESENTED BY PFIZER
New breast cancer treatment strategies
The goal of breast cancer treatments is to eliminate cancer cells, keep them from proliferating, and prevent their return. This panel will explore the most recent advances in the treatment of the different types of breast cancer. Learn more about new breast cancer classifications for more targeted care, emerging strategies to target tumour vulnerabilities, as well as efforts to overcome treatment resistance.
Moderator: Catherine Wilhelmy
Co-chair of the Patient-Partner Strategic Committee,
Scientific co-director of the SSA-Québec Support Unit,
Coleader Experiences
Panelist: Jean-Pierre Ayoub,
Medical oncologist,
University of Montreal Hospital Center
Panelist: Sylvie Mader,
Professor, Université de Montréal,
Researcher, IRIC
Panelist: Ari Meguerditchian,
CUSM; Scientific Director, St. Mary’s Research Centre
Panelist: Anne-Marie Charpentier,
Radiation oncologist, Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal
1:20 P.M. – 1:35 P.M. : LECTURE
PRESENTED BY GILEAD
Preventing breast cancer evolution: separating fact from fiction
In our digital world, information on breast cancer is always at our fingertips. But how do we separate fact from fiction in this avalanche of data, some of which is contradictory? In this lecture, an expert sheds light on preventing the evolution of the disease. They will also cover the importance of taking a critical approach to the different information sources and explain how to assess their reliability.
Alain Bestavros,
Hemato-oncologist,
Cité de la Santé, Laval
1:35 – 1:40 P.M. : SCIENTIFIC DISTINCTION AWARD
1:40 – 2:20 P.M. : LECTURES
PRESENTED BY MERCK
Understanding recurrence: why and how does breast cancer return?
This series of short, easy-to-understand lectures will cover the complex mechanisms of breast cancer recurrence, while spotlighting the latest scientific discoveries on the topic. The presentations will address risk assessment as well as the key mechanisms in disease reappearance, sometimes years after a period of remission, or after a long period without progression. Speakers will also present innovations in early recurrence detection, offering insights on the challenges to improving post-treatment monitoring.
Nathalie Bolduc,
Consultant – Certified Genetic Counsellor, McPeak-Sirois Breast Cancer Clinical Research Group
Benoit Paquette,
Research Professor, Université de Sherbrooke
Jean-François Côté,
PDS, Director, Cytoskeleton Organization and Cell Migration Research Unit, IRC
&
Rebecca Cusseddu,
Phd student, IRCM
20 MINUTES BREAK
14 H 40 – 16 H 10 : CONFÉRENCES
PRÉSENTÉ PAR XXXX
2:40 – 4:10 P.M. : PANEL DISCUSSION
Between caution and hypervigilance: dealing with the fear of disease evolution
It’s natural to be anxious at the thought of a possible relapse or recurrence of breast cancer. But this worry can sometimes become debilitating. How can you remain on the lookout for new manifestations of the disease without veering into hypervigilance? The experts gathered for this discussion will explore how this fear develops and is sustained, as well as its impact on quality of life for the people affected. This discussion will also highlight the knowledge and strategies emerging from recent studies to better understand and manage fear.
Moderator: Florence Moureaux,
Accompanying patient partner – Parole Onco CHUM
Panelist: Josée Savard,
Full professor and researcher,
Cancer Research Center, Université Laval
Panelist: Marie-Andrée Côté,
Patient partner-Chum, Continuum
Panelist: Alain Bestavros,
Hemato-oncologist, Cité de la Santé, Laval
Panelist: Brigitte Rouleau,
Physician at Cité de la santé de Laval and
breast cancer survivor
4:10 – 4:15 P.M. : NATIONAL BANK – INNOVATION AND SUPPORT AWARD
4:15 – 4:25 P.M. : CLOSING REMARKS
4:25 – 4:30 P.M. : DOOR PRIZE DRAW
FAQ
The Forum is aimed primarily at people diagnosed with breast cancer. However, registration for the event is open to family and friends, healthcare professionals and anyone who wants to find out about the latest advances in breast cancer.
The Breast Health Forum will be held Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 :30 p.m. Doors open at 8 a.m. Virtual attendees can connect 15 minutes before the event starts.
The in-person event is taking place at Bonsecours Market, 350 Saint-Paul Street East, Montreal, Quebec, H2Y 1H2. It is also available via live stream when this option is selected at purchase.
Bonsecours Market is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
This year’s Breast Health Forum will be presented in French. However, simultaneous translation into English will be available on site and online for those who require it.
Buy your tickets on our website. Please note that there are no refunds once tickets have been purchased. Contact us if you have problems with your purchase:
- By e-mail: evenements@rubanrose.org
By phone: 514 871-1717 (Montreal area) or 1 877 990-7171 (toll-free)
In-person tickets include admission to the event Saturday, May 3, 2025; gifts from our partners at the booths; a box lunch; as well as entry in the draw to win one of the door prizes.
Virtual tickets include only access to the live stream of the event on May 3, 2025.
Your ticket is neither modifiable nor refundable. You will not be able to exchange your live ticket for a virtual one, and conversely you will not be able to change your virtual ticket for a live one. Your ticket for the virtual event only includes access to the live event on May 3, 2025.
Virtual tickets include only access to the live stream of the event on May 3, 2025.
You will receive your login link by e-mail 2 days before the event.
Because the Foundation strives to reduce the amount of waste generated at its events, we invite you to bring your own reusable water bottle.
A summary of the day’s five key takeaways will be available after the event in a blog post on our website.
No, participating in the Breast Health Forum does not qualify as training hours. The Foundation does not issue proof of attendance.
A number of professionals will be on hand in the booth area to talk about their products and services.