Nova Scotia’s IWK Foundation receives $2M gift to create research unit for breast cancer

Dr. Ashley Drohan talks about the new Breast Health Research Unit at IWK Health.

The IWK Foundation in Halifax received a $2-million gift that will be used to create a new unit for breast cancer research.

The new Breast Health Research Unit (BRHU), which is possible following a donation by J and W Foundation, will collect comprehensive data on the experience of patients with breast cancer from diagnosis to survivorship.

A news release from the IWK Foundation says this includes:

• patient-reported outcomes such as a patient’s quality of life
• understanding the reasons behind their treatment choice
• their overall experience in the health-care system

The unit will also have one of the first datasets in Atlantic Canada to capture patient-reported outcomes on a provincial level.

“The J & W Murphy Foundation is proud to support the IWK’s new Breast Health Research Unit, a groundbreaking initiative that will improve care for women in Nova Scotia facing breast cancer – both today and for generations to come,” said Lisa Murphy with J & W Murphy Foundation.

“Our family is deeply committed to advancing women’s health, and we are honoured to help drive meaningful, lasting improvements in breast cancer research and care across the province.”

The Canadian Cancer Society estimates one in eight Canadian women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. It also says, on average, 83 Canadian women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day.

“Every day, we treat patients to the best standard we know, but we need help to move beyond treating just the patient in front of us and towards optimizing the entire population of patients with breast health issues in Nova Scotia,” said Dr. Ashley Drohan and Dr. Gregory Knapp, Breast Health Program surgeons at IWK Health.

“The BHRU will build on the existing collaboration between Nova Scotian breast surgeons and care teams to shape the future of breast health data and research. This will help us better understand how the provincial health-care system impacts outcomes that matter to patients and families.”

IWK Health currently collects data on women with breast cancer within Nova Scotia’s central zone. The new unit will collect data from all breast cancer patients in Nova Scotia.

“Thank you to the J & W Murphy Foundation for being true champions for advancing health care and research in the Maritimes. Their investment today will make a difference for patients with breast cancer and breast health issues across Nova Scotia and beyond,” said Jennifer Gillivan, president & CEO of the IWK Foundation.

“Alongside donors like the J & W Murphy Foundation, the IWK Foundation is on a mission to equalize women’s health care and research, locally, regionally and nationally. With this gift and the expertise of the IWK, the Breast Health Research Unit will support critical research for women’s health, which in turn creates a better future for us all.”

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