Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation announces $4.5M investment for 9 homegrown researchers

The Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation is proud to announce a $4.5 million investment for 9 homegrown researchers, thanks to the continued generosity of its donors and partners. The Foundation's Strategic Grants Program proudly supports innovation and excellence in Quebec breast cancer research. Over 20 years, the Foundation has invested more than $25 million in research, in the hopes of reaching its vision of a future without breast cancer.

With this 5^th edition of its breast cancer research grants program, the Foundation is continuing its commitment to the Quebec medical and scientific community, investing in promising, innovative research projects. The grants range from $100,000 to $125,000 per year, over a four-year term. The selected projects have, among others, such goals as better understanding how cancerous cells function; developing medication and a vaccine against breast cancer; improving diagnosis; and finding new hereditary links that could help explain the prevalence of breast cancer among certain Quebec families.

"Once again this year, the many high-quality applications we received reveal the energy and vitality of Quebec's breast cancer research community," said Francine Cléroux, the Foundation's chief executive officer. "As our understanding of the different types of breast cancer continues to improve, we can hope for even more targeted treatments with fewer side effects. Breast cancer affects more women in Quebec than any other kind of cancer, but thanks to the advances made in recent years, the five-year survival rate has reached 88%. The investment announced today, brings us closer to a future without breast cancer."

Scientific peer review process

The Foundation's Strategic Grants program drew on the expertise of the Cancer Research Society in implementing a rigorous, objective evaluation process. "The Cancer Research Society is proud to have contributed to the scientific peer review process to select the best research projects in the fight against breast cancer", said Mr. Andy Chabot, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Society. "In fact, we have set up committees of fifteen respected experts from across Canada to review and identify the most deserving projects. We wish to congratulate the researchers who submitted the nine projects that will receive research grants from the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation."

"Research is fundamental in our collective fight against cancer", said the Minister of Health and Social Services, Gaétan Barrette. "It is the basis of technological and medical advances in recent years and the reason why we have significantly improved our fight methods against this disease and their effectiveness. The Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation is a very important partner of our health network. For years, every breakthrough, every advance that she has permitted was a source of hope and healing for many Quebec women and their families.
I commend this initiative and thank its partners and generous donors".