One more year, the solidarity initiative El Paseíco de la Mama has delivered to the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) the funds they have raised to support cancer research, which this time amounted to a total of 38,485 euros . The COVID-19 pandemic has forced this veteran initiative to reformulate itself, changing its original date and the format in which it was carried out. But despite the difficulties, they have not wanted to leave the commitment to breast cancer research that they have had until now.
On this occasion, the project to which the funds raised in the 2020 edition will be allocated will be the one directed by the Dra. Meritxell Bellet, researcher in the Breast Cancer group at VHIO, to develop a specific technique to measure estradiol in blood. “This is the female sex hormone with the highest biological activity, which plays a fundamental role in the growth of hormone receptor-positive breast tumors, which is the most common type of breast cancer”, explains the own Dra. Meritxell Bellet.
Most of the current hormonal treatments focus precisely on reducing the level of estradiol to the maximum, and, in this way, also reducing tumor stimulation. The problem is that, when estradiol levels are very low, there are no techniques that help to accurately quantify them in clinical practice, since the existing ones used in research are very expensive and complex, and their application in a wide population It is very difficult.
25% of premenopausal women with breast cancer have an estradiol level higher than expected, which could jeopardize the prognosis of these patients. “If we have an accurate, reliable and real-time way to measure these low levels of estradiol, we will be able to identify this subgroup early and, thus, make active and rapid decisions that help to change treatments and improve the prognosis of these patients ”, add the Dra. Meritxell Bellet.
The Dra. Cristina Saura, principal investigator of the Breast Cancer Group of the VHIO, has been the one who has received the donation along with the Dra. Meritxell Bellet from the hands of Isabel Gasen, promoter of the Paseíco de la Mama. The Dr. Saura He wanted to take advantage of the event to thank the support received during all these years: “Research is the way we have to improve the treatment of breast cancer. Initiatives like this help us to continue improving and advancing on this path. And it is really appreciated that in a year as complicated as 2020 they have wanted to maintain their commitment to us and have sought a way to continue carrying out this beautiful initiative “.
About El Paseíco de la Mama
El Paseíco de la Mama took shape when Inés Gasén was diagnosed with breast cancer during her pregnancy, which not only caused fear and uncertainty in her and her family, but also raised many questions and doubts about her health and the future of your baby.
Encouraged to mobilize with her mother-in-law, Elaine, and motivated by the need to make this challenging period positive, she decided to organize an annual outing whose benefits would finance the knowledge of advances in breast cancer.
Collecting support from her family and her circle of friends and acquaintances, Elaine and her two daughters, Pili and Susan, together with Inés, founded El Paseíco de la Mama in 2011 with an inaugural walk that took place in June of that same year. . Seizing the moment and growing each year, El Paseíco de la Mama continues to report an increase in the number of participants, donations and personal commitments.
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