Bosom Buddies of Arizona

Line Dance For Hope

Samantha Millar Maddox — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 07:29:55 +0000

Line Dance for Hope – Event Recap

In October, our community came together for a joyful and meaningful celebration at the Line Dance for Hope event, hosted at Raising Cane’s off of 24th St and Baseline and partnered with Kroc Center Phoenix Arizona. With everyone geared up in pink, the morning was filled with energy, music, and movement—all in support of breast cancer warriors and survivors.

Participants enjoyed a fun and upbeat line-dancing session from 10 AM to 12 PM, with raffles, prizes, and heartfelt moments reminding us why events like this matter. Every dancer, donor, and volunteer helped contribute to our mission of supporting those impacted by breast cancer.

The generosity didn’t end there as Raising Cane’s on 24th Street & Baseline partnered with the event, donating 15% of proceeds for anyone who mentioned “Kroc Dancing for Hope” throughout the day. We are truly grateful for this show of community support.

A special thank-you to everyone who donated, danced, and helped spread hope. Events like Line Dance for Hope make a direct impact on the services Bosom Buddies of Arizona is able to provide, and we couldn’t do it without you.

For questions about future events, please contact:
Gina.Blevins@usw.salvationarmy.org
(602) 425-5088

Together, we continue to uplift, support, and empower breast cancer survivors across Arizona.

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New Combination Therapy for Resistant ER+ Breast Cancer

Lydia Gregory — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 20:43:58 +0000

In preclinical studies, researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, have tested a new combination therapy for hormone-resistant, estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer and were able to shrink tumors, reduce the number of cancer stem cells and reprogram the immune environment to be less supportive of cancer growth.

The findings were validated not only in preclinical studies but also in patient-derived explants, and are published in the Nov. 5, 2025, issue of Science Translational Medicine.

Endocrine therapy has long been a cornerstone for treating estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, but a significant number of patients eventually develop resistance to drugs like tamoxifen and fulvestrant, leading to poorer outcomes and limited treatment options.

The new research sheds light on why this resistance occurs-and how it might be overcome by targeting the cellular “bodyguards” in breast cancer cells.

To better understand the resistance mechanism, the research team focused on the tumor microenvironment and created two ER+ endocrine therapy resistant preclinical tumor models.

The tumor micoenvironment can be thought of as the “neighborhood” surrounding a tumor, filled with various cells that can either help or hinder cancer growth. Within this environment, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs)-a type of immune cell-play a pivotal role, and the researchers found that a specific subtype of TAMs, marked by proteins called CD163 and PD-L1, are more abundant in patients whose tumors resist tamoxifen therapy. PD-L1 is a protein that helps cancer cells hide from the immune system. Drugs that block PD-L1, known as immune checkpoint inhibitors, have already revolutionized treatment for some cancers.

The research team discovered that these PD-L1+ TAMs are recruited to the tumor by a signaling molecule called DLL1, produced by the cancer cells themselves. DLL1 acts like a beacon, drawing in macrophages through a pathway dependent on CCR3/CCL7. Once in the tumor, these macrophages help maintain cancer stem cells-cells that can regenerate the tumor and are notoriously hard to kill with standard therapies. These immune suppressive macrophages also lead to exhaustion of the CD8-T cells, which kill the tumor cells.

In both preclinical studies and patient-derived tumor samples, higher levels of DLL1 and PD-L1+ TAMs were strongly linked to resistance against tamoxifen and fulvestrant, another common endocrine therapy. Notably, patients with a higher number of these cells in their tumors had worse survival rates.

To address this challenge, the team conducted preclinical studies to test a new combination therapy. By using antibodies that block DLL1 and PD-L1, alongside low-dose tamoxifen, they were able to shrink tumors, reduce the number of cancer stem cells, and reprogram the immune environment to be less supportive of cancer growth.

“This triple therapy approach could be a game-changer for patients whose cancers no longer respond to standard hormone treatments,” said Chakrabarti, who is also an Associate Professor of surgery at the Miller School. “It’s about hitting the cancer from multiple angles at once.”

The researchers acknowledge that more work is needed before this approach can be translated into patient care by extended in vivo modeling and pilot clinical trials. “Our models are robust, but human tumors are even more complex,” Dr. Chakrabarti noted. “We’re optimistic, but careful.”

Understanding the interplay between cancer cells and their microenvironment is crucial for developing next-generation therapies. This research highlights the importance of looking beyond the tumor itself and considering the “ecosystem” that supports it. It’s a reminder that cancer is not just a disease of rogue cells, but of complex cellular communities, said Chakrabarti.

“Every breakthrough brings us closer to a future where breast cancer is not just treatable, but truly manageable for every patient,” she said. “We’re committed to making that future a reality in the coming years.”

READ FULL STORY HERE

Source:

University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Journal reference:

Singh, S., et al. (2025) DLL1-responsive PD-L1+ tumor-associated macrophages promote endocrine resistance in breast cancer. Science Translational Medicine. doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.adr620 7

More Information HERE

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Nurse Navigators: Coordinating Care, Reducing Stress

Lydia Gregory — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 00:40:42 +0000

This post is a contribution from Amanda Kuller, RN, an oncology nurse navigator for HonorHealth. She was an ER nurse for 8 years prior to switching to oncology. Her passion for educating patients and helping them navigate healthcare led her to her collaboration with Bosom Buddies of Arizona. Thank you, Amanda!

A breast cancer diagnosis is like receiving a declaration of war. Bringing together a team of battle buddies is essential for the fight ahead. Depending on type and staging, potential recruits include Medical, Radiation, and Surgical Oncologists. These specialists are great for designing a plan of action and initiating care, but they cannot always be available when the fight gets hard. Fortunately, a new fighter, Oncology Nurse Navigators (ONNs), is emerging onto the battlefield.

Nurse navigation is a quickly expanding field in outpatient and inpatient practices. They are specialized registered nurses committed to leading patients through the minefield that healthcare has become. Responsibilities and roles vary depending on the specialty and facility, but the general goal of navigation is to increase patient compliance with treatment plans. In Oncology, this is done by empowering patients with education, managing treatment side effects, assessing patient needs and implementing resources.

Education

Sometimes referred to as “chemo counseling,” this is an in-depth teaching session between the nurse navigator and patient and their caregiver(s). Topics covered include a breakdown of the treatment regimen, common side effects, explaining treatment tools for side effects, and health and safety guidelines while receiving chemotherapy. During this visit, the nurse may also assess Social Determinants of Health. This includes financial ability to care for oneself, transportation to treatment, a safe place to live, access to food, and emotional distress. Once assessed, the nurse can provide referrals and resources.

Symptom Management

Chemotherapy, whether it is infusion or oral, unfortunately, comes with potentially life-threatening side effects. Many navigation programs have a triage line patients can call to report and receive advice about uncontrollable symptoms, like nausea or loose stools. Symptom management aims to keep patients as healthy as possible and out of the hospital. The sooner patients report their symptoms to the nurse navigator, the better their chance of keeping patients at home and treatment on track.

Nurse navigators often have treatment protocols that allow them to quickly prescribe care without waiting for the oncologist. They are trained to recognize when symptoms can be managed at home or if a higher level of care is needed. If they advise Emergency Room care, they have decided through a complex decision-making process that the benefits outweigh the risks.

Survivorship

The battle against cancer is not over on the final infusion day. There is a recovery period of 3-6 months after treatment completion, during which the patient is still at risk for side effects. Nurse navigators will prepare a survivorship care plan that details the treatment received. This document is provided to the patient so they may disperse it to their current and future healthcare team members. Potential long-term side effects are covered, as well as dosages received, as some chemotherapy agents have a lifetime dose restriction.

Interdisciplinary Team

Some healthcare facilities have recognized the need for interdisciplinary navigation teams to assist the nurse navigator in caring for the patient as a whole individual and not just as a cancer patient. Teams can include Social Workers, Dieticians, and Patient Navigators. Social workers can assist with counseling needs and connecting patients with support groups. They are also able to help address social toxicities, like financial assistance. Oncology Dieticians are specially trained to guide patients toward the best possible nutrition to support their bodies during and after treatment. They also provide valuable guidance with side effect management, especially those affecting the gastrointestinal system. Patient navigators offer practical support to remove barriers to care and enhance quality of life. They place orders for medical equipment, engage in social toxicity management, and connect patients with community resources like food resources and home health care.

Most services provided by the navigation team are free to the patient. Some facilities charge for dietician services, but nurse navigation is always free. Because patients shouldn’t just survive treatment but thrive.

Photo by Patty Brito on Unsplash

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PINKTOBER 2022 – What’s Going On?

Lydia Gregory — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 23:00:26 +0000

#BreastCancerAwarenessMonth is just around the corner, and Bosom Buddies is partnering up with several amazing sponsors to help raise funds so we can continue to help #breastcancersurvivors in Arizona. Your support means everything to us! Keep reading for a list of fun events and stay tuned to this blog for updates:

AZ POUND4PINK

When: Sat, October 22, 2022

What Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM MST

Join your Arizona POUND Posse for the 8th annual AZ POUND4PINK, where we come together to raise money for local breast cancer foundation, Bosom Buddies! This fundraiser will be a community event, graciously hosted by The Biz Hub of Fountain Hills and brought to you by POUND® Fitness- raising awareness to breast cancer, prevention of and supportive initiatives that help families and survivors from the devastating diagnosis all the way through treatment and long term care.

What to Expect:

POUND is an exhilarating 45-minute cardio workout set to your FAVORITE hits that uses lightly weighted drumsticks called RipStix and mimics the sweat-dripping FUN of playing the drums.

What to bring:

a yoga mat

water

your friends!

This year we will be supporting Bosom Buddies of Arizona. Bosom Buddies of Arizona was founded in 1982 by five women in the advertising and communications industry in Phoenix. Our founder, Dee Courtwright-Smoot, promised if she lived through her battle with breast cancer she would do “something” to help other women and men with the same diagnosis. At the time there was very little information available on breast cancer and no one spoke openly about it. If you are unable to go to our event please consider donating directly to Bosom Buddies of Arizona by clicking on the following link: https://bosombuddies-az.org/donate/

A portion of shirt profits will go to our featured non-profit! Stay tuned for a link to order yours.

Fundraising Goal: $2,022.00

Even if you are unable to attend, consider donating to an important cause affecting families right here in AZ!

Get your tickets by clicking the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arizonas-8th-annual-pound4pink-tickets-405045972407?fbclid=IwAR2OhteSSFPHyVh9DzWKTYilkxL2XUZOiNg2CduKpvCT-c1GmteKUB_q7F8

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Grupo de apoyo para supervivientes de cáncer de mama de habla hispana – ¡única edición!

Lydia Gregory — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 21:03:43 +0000

¡Excelentes noticias!

La invitamos a participar en un grupo de apoyo para supervivientes de cáncer del seno de habla hispana. Venga a compartir con otras mujeres con experiencias afines—¡a veces sólo nos hace falta saber que no estamos solas!

Tomará lugar el 10 de febrero de 7:15 a 8:30 en Goodyear en los predios de la Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 918 Litchfield Road, Goodyear, AZ 85338, en el edificio “B”.

La facilitadora será Norma Pérez.

¡No se lo pierda! Por lo pronto es la única edición de este grupo en español, pero esperamos poder facilitar más grupos de habla hispana en el futuro.

Nota: Estaremos tomando todas las precauciones higiénicas posibles y pedimos a todas las participantes que lleven puesta su mascarilla.

***This Support Group will follow the English-language Support Group that will take place as usual.***

Photo by Jopwell from Pexels

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Restorative Movement: Pink Ribbon 360 Heals Mind and Body

Lydia Gregory — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 07:49:00 +0000

When Teri Friedland’s best friend couldn’t find a proper rehab program to address her physical and emotional needs after her breast cancer surgeries, Teri took her experience as an occupational therapist and fitness instructor, combined it with intensive research and training, and created Pink Ribbon 360. Breast cancer survivors have unique challenges, and this holistic program helps them stretch and strengthen the shoulders, chest, and back with a series of gentle exercises while helping them regain their sense of control and confidence.

At Bosom Buddies, we’re thrilled to have met Teri on our journey to help breast cancer survivors improve their lives. She recently shared this great video with three exercises that can easily be done in the comfort of your own home. Bookmark this page and take a minute to visit her site at www.pin kribbon360.com—she offers individualized holistic wellness programs for mind, body, and soul (currently via Zoom).

Thanks, Teri!

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Choosing between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy

Lydia Gregory — Tue, 18 May 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

Many people with early-stage breast cancer can choose between breast-conserving surgery, called a lumpectomy, or total removal of the breast, a mastectomy. They may also require radiation therapy.

In most cases, undergoing a lumpectomy and radiation therapy gives a person a similar chance of long-term survival as a mastectomy.

The choice between the two procedures involves many personal and medical factors, including the person’s previous medical history and their concerns regarding recurrence and cosmetic issues. (Read more…)

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How Nipple Tattoos Are Positively Impacting People’s Lives

Lydia Gregory — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:17:00 +0000

The day Carla Walker returned home after getting areola tattoos, she’d never felt more in control of her world. Despite the rough journey that led her to this moment—she’d been diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2019 and elected to have a bilateral mastectomy—Carla recalls looking at herself in the mirror and being overcome with a sense of both gratitude and empowerment

“The emotional side of dealing with breast cancer was staring me in the face. Every day, there was always a reminder,” she tells Glam. “Then I got my tattoos. I really could not stop thinking about how wonderful I looked and how happy having all of me back made me feel.”

Areola tattoos are becoming increasingly popular among women like Carla, who have undergone breast reconstruction surgery after cancer. And although a tattoo doesn’t change the cancer diagnosis itself, there’s hope and empowerment in knowing that breasts can be reconstructed and that the appearance of areolas can be restored. (Read more…)

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Don’t Delay Breast Cancer Treatment Over Fertility Fears

Lydia Gregory — Wed, 05 May 2021 15:17:00 +0000

A number of young women with breast cancer delay or forgo treatment, concerned it may affect their fertility. But several options are available that can help. Maskot/Getty Images

For many young women with a diagnosis of breast cancer, deciding which treatments to pursue can be a complicated process.

A new study from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute finds that a number of young women with breast cancer delay or forgo hormone-blocking therapy due to concerns about how the cancer treatment might affect their fertility.

The findings, which published April 22 in the journal Cancer, highlight the need for people with breast cancer to address their fertility concerns with their physicians, who can provide treatment options that meet their family-planning goals.

Those in this situation who want to prioritize their fertility along with their health and survival face two traumas at once, said Dr. David Seifer, a reproductive endocrinologist at Yale Medicine Fertility Center and professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine.

But there are options to protect fertility.

“The sooner they receive clear information about their own biology and their own reproductive situation, the more likely it is they can realize the options and the potential of fulfilling their hope of becoming a mother,” Seifer said. (Read more…)

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Breast Cancer Over 70: How Much Treatment Is Enough?

Lydia Gregory — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 12:13:00 +0000

(HealthDay News) — Many women older than 70 can safely receive fewer treatments for early-stage breast cancer, a new study suggests.

Researchers found that adding lymph node removal or radiation to women’s treatment did not seem to cut their risk of a breast cancer recurrence, which was low overall.

The findings, experts said, support existing recommendations to “de-escalate” those procedures for many older women.

The point is to spare them of side effects from treatments that are unlikely to bring benefits, said Adrian Lee, one of the researchers on the study. (Read more…)

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