research

****PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR - DR LOPAMUDRA DAS ROY's Research contributions

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Breast Cancer Hub Epidemiological Research & Clinical Data Analysis Study:

1. Research approved by WCG IRB (Institutional Review Board, USA). IRB Protocol number: 20204167 (Order #1-1375632-1). IRB is in compliance with good clinical practices as defined under the U.S Food & Drug Administration (FDA), US Dept of Health & Human Services (HHS) regulations & the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines.

   Principal Investigator: Dr Lopamudra Das Roy, Founder & President - Breast Cancer Hub Corporation, USA

2. Research approved by Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC), Protocol Number: IEC/1/34/2021. St John’s Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore, India.

   Principal Investigator (PI) {USA, India & Global Study}: Dr Lopamudra Das Roy, Founder & President - Breast Cancer Hub Corporation, USA

   CO - PI (India Study): Dr Rakesh S. Sharma, Associate Professor, Dept of Surgical Oncology, St John’s Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, India

BCH Cancer Research penetrates into the untapped sectors for substantial impactful scientific analysis, working towards changing healthcare policies, and come up with solutions at the grassroots level.

Lack of global clinical data on Breast Cancer across demographics and ethnicity, especially from the developing world always bothers me. The survival frequency of Breast Cancer is very low in the developing world. I believe, this critical situation won’t be taken seriously until and unless we understand the status and frequency of Cancer collectively represented from all the cities & villages (remote) across developing countries through appropriate data collection and analysis. We bridge the gap between the developed and developing world to uplift the research potential and bring into limelight the current situation of Breast cancer & other type of Cancer in the urban & rural sectors across the globe, and try to decipher the hidden elements that may eventually help in the treatment schema. We are also working on other type of Cancers in addition to Breast Cancer.

Why we come together in research?

Collaborative and unified work create impactful & substantial results for the society and mankind. We  bridge the gap between the developed and developing world to uplift the research potential. We join forces with oncologists, clinicians, and scientists/researchers. We are very optimistic and look forward to our research together, to bring into limelight the current situation of Breast cancer, Oral Cancer & Cervical Cancer and other types of Cancer in the urban & rural sectors across the globe. Our research focuses on BCH Epidemiological Research Study, BCH Clinical data analysis, Review Cancer Research articles focusing on Global scenario (de-briefing the scientific articles and translating the findings in simple words).

AIMS:

1.  Clinical Data Analysis of Cancer Patients/Survivors: We aim to decipher the various factors that cause the advancement of non-metastatic breast cancer into metastatic breast cancer so that we can understand the underlying factors & analyze the determinants. To shed light on the biological and circumstantial factors that may affect the progression , to gauge the occurrence of Breast Cancer in various age groups & ethnicities, if younger populations are affected more recently, the lifestyle effects & the late detection scenario in the Developing world as compared to the Developed world.

   a.      To gauge the occurrence of breast cancer in various cohorts in USA, India & Globally.

   b. To understand if younger populations or populations of certain ethnicities present breast cancer more often than other populations. 

   c. To study the occurrence of the BRCA & other mutations and the prevalence of predominant receptor status based on ethnicity and age. 

   d. To understand other variables and factors that may affect the progression of non-metastatic breast cancer to metastatic breast cancer.

    In addition, we plan to conduct Clinical data analysis of other types of Cancer and help determine the cause of advancement of non-metastatic to metastatic cancer so that eventually our analysis report will help increase the survival with Breast and other Cancers.

2. Population based Epidemiological Research Study in diverse cohorts to gauge the general awareness of the population in relation to breast cancer detection and prevention so that we can make an impact & bring a change on the concept of Early Detection Screening in the Developing countries and increase the survival as Early detection saves lives. Through these efforts, we also hope to determine how proactive the community is when it comes to early detection. Within this aim, we have the following sub-aims: 

   a.      To understand what percentage of the general population, pursue regular screening. 

   b.     To understand what percentage of the general population are aware of the purpose of mammograms and ultrasounds. 

   c.      To spread awareness on the occurrence of breast cancer in men.

   d.     To encourage women & men to seek opportunities for early detection.

   e.      To understand the effects of lifestyle, culture & environment contributing to cancer development and prognosis.

   In addition to Breast Cancer, we are also working on other types of Cancers.

3. Village Epidemiological Research Study - We hope to assess and rectify the stigma that surrounds breast cancer in India through a door-to-door epidemiological study in the villages Breast Cancer Hub adopted. We conduct a door-to-door study in India in the villages for Cancer Screening Early detection & Management, to uncover various factors that correlate with breast cancer & other types of Cancer.

   Purpose:

   a.     To push for earlier detection in all communities, also especially in younger populations and underserved communities. 

   b.     To help destigmatize breast cancer in underprivileged communities in order to encourage more individuals to seek out mammograms, ultrasounds, self-breast exams, and clinical breast exams. 

   c.     To gauge the degree of knowledge in the general community in regards to Cancer screening methods.

   d.     To understand the effects of lifestyle & environment affecting the community with the occurrence of Cancer.

   e.     To help eliminate the social stigma that surrounds the breast cancer & other cancers in developing and underdeveloped nations.

4. Research articles in simple words: Current research findings on cancer published on other authentic scientific journals to be reported in simple language, layman terms, understandable by mass public - de-briefing the scientific articles and translating the vital findings in simple words to generate awareness in the community.

5. Scientific platform that will offer high-level disease state education materials to general population, including cancer patients, and will also serve as an in-depth scientific resource for health care professionals. Life Saving Screening Educational Cards generated & published. https://www.breastcancerhub.org/educational-cards

6. Young scientist cancer meet: Breast Cancer Hub brings awareness and art of scientific analysis and thought leadership in the students that will encourage research ideas, data analysis, foundation for networking, collaborations and most importantly empowering them with knowledge about cancer prevention and the importance of early detection that can save lives. Team description and their Research work/exhibits published on BCH newsletter & website, reflecting students’ research experience, eventually helping in their career path. Students will relate science to the real world by applying their knowledge in meaningful ways for future development & growth, contributing towards community service towards the cause of cancer.

Click Here - Cancer Is Not Contagious

Click Here - Breast Cancer Screening

Click Here - Inflammation and Cancer

Click Here - Breast Cancer Taboo

Click Here - Breast Cancer (Silent ignored Chapter)

International Conference on The Myriad Facets of Women: A Celebration of the Extraordinary, March 1-2, 2024, at Jain (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru India.. Oral Presentation, Title: Challenges of a Trans Woman: Case Report on Mental Health and Risks of Reproductive Cancers with Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy

Conference: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine - Research Day, May 03, 2023, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Breast Cancer Hub (BCH) Research, Poster presentation, Title: “High Mortality in the Male Breast Cancer Community and the Need for a Change in Healthcare Policy”.

AKAM 2023 Conference, University of Delhi

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St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, 3rd Annual Research Day April 8, 9, 2021

Poster 1: Evaluating the Disproportionate Rate of Metastasis and Mortality by Age in Patients with Breast Cancer in India and the United States Through a Comparative Study

 Poster 2: An epidemiological research study to depict the status of Breast Cancer Awareness in the local population of Nagaon, Karbi Anglong District & surrounding areas in Assam, India – generate awareness to help with early detection.

Poster 3: Investigating the cancer awareness status, underlying determinants leading to late detection, navigating the suspicious cases, and addressing the challenges with grassroots solutions during the Covid-19 pandemic in the villages adopted by Breast Cancer Hub (BCH) in Cachar, Assam, India

Impact of Covid-19 on Breast Cancer Screening in North-East India

Great moment for Breast Cancer Hub ​ and our team. Our original research work "Impact of Covid-19 on Breast Cancer Screening in North-East India" got accepted at Indian Association of Women's Studies E-Conference. "Gender during Covid -19: Perspectives from Northeast India". We brought into limelight the true incidents (case studies-anonymous), challenges faced & how we are working at the grassroot level to overcome the barriers & help the patients.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime in the USA. The incidence of Breast Cancer in India is also alarmingly increasing and the death rate is significantly higher compared to other parts of the world due to lack of awareness and early detection. Younger women are also getting Breast Cancer & detected late stage. The fundamental reason for late detection is taboo & ignorance.  Women & family members hesitate to mention the word Cancer in “Breast”. It’s the shyness & embarrassment society imposes. In India, irrespective of socio-economic condition or education, women are still detected late due to culture induced inertia to go for screening processes. The situation is worse in the rural areas where poverty plays an important role. Therefore, Breast Cancer screening & early detection has become one of the missions of Breast Cancer Hub so that we can increase the survival rate in the urban & rural India.

Covid-19 impact on women health: Breast Cancer Hub (BCH) extensively works on breaking the Breast Taboo, early detection awareness & screening across India and in this process, BCH adopted two villages in Cachar, Assam – Bantarapur & Bhorakhai. We go door to door for Cancer screening, Care & Management. We studied many thought-provoking cases in terms of women’s health & with Covid-19 the scenario has become grimmer. With our suspicious cases who need additional Breast screening, living in far flung interior rural areas, commute has become a huge challenge. The restrictions on movement, new norms of public vehicles etc. has increased the fares of public vehicle more than thrice. Therefore, it is an expensive deal for the people to commute to the hospitals located in urban town areas. Moreover, women do not have their own income source, becoming financially dependent on their male counterpart for whom Breast screening becomes secondary & unnecessary. In addition, we have come across many families, where male earning members are working in another state & couldn’t return home during pandemic. In such cases, women face resistance from their conservative, possessive family members working elsewhere, not allowing their wife, sister or daughter to go without them for BREAST screening. Early detection to Breast Cancer is the utmost need, we cannot cure cancer if it goes into the metastatic stage leading to death. Covid-19 has made the situation more difficult. People are not only hesitant but also restricted to go for screening. Many hospitals’ outpatient departments are closed or having restricted entry. Since March 2020, as number of Covid-19 cases have increased, new protocols got introduced in the hospitals restricting the regular clinical screening or OPD process. Thus, the pandemic situation has negatively affected diagnostic Breast screening of suspicious cases.

Conclusion

•We have innumerable patients who reached out to Breast Cancer Hub from Northeast India after they detected themselves with lump. They were hesitant to visit the cancer centres for further screening due to the fear of getting Covid test prior to visiting the hospital but we convinced them.

•We have instances where due to lockdown, Breast Cancer patients residing in remote areas are delaying their surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, which might transition them to advanced stages of Breast Cancer. Cancer patients with Covid, treatment compromised.

• We also have reports of Breast Cancer survivors delaying their 6 month follow up scheduled check-ups due to hospital strict protocols with Covid or the lockdown transportation concerns or families losing jobs leading to financial burden. In these circumstances, follow up check-ups are taking back seats but we are intervening & making things work.

• Cancer patients are highly immunocompromised and Covid causes serious outcomes with pre-existing conditions, so we are counselling the patients with scientific advices & teaching them to implement Covid preventable measures.

Covid-19 has further complexed the situation of women with Breast Cancer. Any gaps lead to a deadly consequence but we are determined with our efforts & helping the suspicious cases & the cancer patients to the best of our capabilities.

Research projects