News releases

For immediate release
Andrea Butler
albutler@vcu.edu
(804) 628-2111

VCU Massey Cancer Center launches Sneakers and Genes program for daughters of women with breast cancer

Richmond, Va. (April 22, 2008) – The Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center is offering a new program, funded by a grant from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, to increase breast health awareness among women ages 18-49 whose mothers had breast cancer.

“Sneakers and Genes for Daughters” will provide participants with three weekly sessions to help daughters understand their own risk for breast cancer and be more informed on cancer-risk reduction to help improve their quality of life.

Diane B. Wilson, Ed.D., M.S., RD, a Massey researcher specializing in cancer prevention and control, developed the Sneakers and Genes program and is its principal investigator. Sneakers and Genes is a follow-up to a pilot study she conducted titled “The Daughter’s Project.”

“The Daughter’s Project provided opportunities for daughters of women with breast cancer to express their unique concerns,” said Wilson. “It was an emotional yet empowering experience for many of them, and they were particularly interested in strategies to help them stay healthy.”

Presented by experts from Massey, Sneakers and Genes will provide educational, interactive sessions for 25 women and will allow for questions. The focus of the three sessions will be nutrition and exercise, understanding genetics and a discussion on screening. John Quillin, Ph.D., a certified genetics counselor with Massey, is co-director of the program.

The first three-session series will be held at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on May 5, 12 and 19 from 6:30-8 p.m. Registration is required by calling (804) 828-1561.
The free three-session program will be offered twice in Richmond and later in other Virginia locations. (Dates pending.)

About the VCU Massey Cancer Center:
The VCU Massey Cancer Center is one of 63 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions that leads and shapes America’s cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, the Center conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers more clinical trials than any other institution in Virginia, serving patients in Richmond and in four satellite locations. Its 1,000 researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately to cure cancer. Visit Massey online at www.massey.vcu.edu or call 1-877-4-MASSEY.