World Breast Cancer Research Day: Making Strides in Neuropathy Research With Megan-Claire Chase and Connie Visovsky, PhD, RN, ACNP, FAAN

August 18 is World Breast Cancer Research Day, a day to recognize the life-changing research aiming to conquer breast cancer worldwide. In this interview, Oncology Data Advisor Editorial Board member Megan-Claire Chase, invasive lobular breast cancer survivor and Breast Cancer Program Director at SHARE Cancer Support, sits down with Dr. Connie Visovsky, Professor in the College of Nursing at the University of South Florida, for a discussion spotlighting breast cancer treatment–induced neuropathy and the work being done to better understand and manage this debilitating toxicity, including:

• Ms. Chase’s experience with neuropathy during chemotherapy treatment and in survivorship
• Dr. Visovsky’s National Cancer Institute (NCI)–funded clinical trial assessing gait, balance, and muscle strength among breast cancer survivors experiencing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
• Self-management strategies and ongoing research into better clinical management for neuropathy
• What clinicians should tell patients to help them live more safely while experiencing neuropathy
• Research into identifying genetic predispositions and other factors that put individuals at heightened risk of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy
• The hope that this ongoing research is providing for breast cancer patients and survivors experiencing neuropathy
• And more!

About the Speakers

Megan-Claire Chase is a patient advocate and the Breast Cancer Program Director for SHARE Cancer Support, a nonprofit organization that seeks to empower women with cancer by providing public education and support for patients and survivors. As a survivor of stage IIA invasive lobular breast cancer, Ms. Chase became involved in patient advocacy work after completing her treatment. She is a prolific writer, blogger, and public speaker, having been featured in the New York Times, in People Magazine, and on PBS’s “Beyond Cancer” episode of “Stories from the Stage.” Her story and work are documented in her blog “Life on the Cancer Train.”

Constance Visovsky, PhD, RN, ACNP, FAAN, is a Professor in the College of Nursing and the Director and Lewis & Leona Hughes Endowed Chair of the College of Nursing at the University of South Florida. She specializes in the treatment of patients with breast cancer, with noted expertise in the management of neurotoxic effects of chemotherapy, particularly chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Visovsky’s research interests include exercise behavior and gait and balance training for improving symptoms of neuropathy in patients receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. She has authored or coauthored numerous peer-reviewed publications focused on nursing management of patients with cancer.