Making Cancer History®: Free seminar comes to Midland

Local three-time, 26-year-old survivor joins MD Anderson experts at April 12 seminar

MD Anderson News Release March 16, 2016

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center brings its signature Making Cancer History® seminar to Midland, for the first time, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 12, at the Midland Country Club, 6101 N. Highway 349.  Renowned experts from the nation’s No. 1 cancer center will share the most recent developments in cancer research and care as well as healthy lifestyle tips to reduce cancer risk. In addition, Midland resident and three-time cancer survivor Lauren Erdmann, 26, will share her story of overcoming cancer three times as a patient at MD Anderson. 

The free seminar, underwritten by the Henry Foundation, is open to the public and includes lunch. Doors open at 11 a.m.

Presentations will feature:

  • Ernest Hawk, M.D., vice president for Cancer Prevention; executive director, Duncan Family Institute for Cancer Prevention and Risk Assessment, who will provide a brief introduction to MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program, a comprehensive, accelerated effort to significantly reduce cancer deaths and transform cancer care. With up to 50 percent of cancers occurring in Americans estimated to be avoidable, Hawk will recommend seven areas of action that people should take to reduce cancer risk.
  • Sam Hanash, M.D., Ph.D., director, the Red and Charline McCombs Institute for the Early Detection and Treatment of Cancer, who will discuss the progress being made to reduce mortality from lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women. He also will discuss MD Anderson’s Lung Cancer Moon Shot, and review progress in screening and early detection.
  • Anthony Lucci, M.D., professor, Breast Surgical Oncology, who will share how MD Anderson is studying circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood to guide further treatments for breast cancer patients. His team is investigating the use of CTCs to identify new markers and in turn develop novel treatments as well as to develop alternatives to invasive and painful biopsies, such as a simple blood draw, or “liquid biopsy.”

A question-and-answer session will follow the presentations.

MD Anderson is the nation’s top hospital for cancer care, earning the No. 1 ranking in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” survey 11 times in 14 years.

Since opening in March 1944, more than 1 million people have sought care at MD Anderson, including nearly 6,000 Midlanders. The MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors, which provides leadership and support for MD Anderson, includes five members from Midland.

Seating is limited and registration is requested. To register, please email events@mdanderson.org or call 866-262-9029 and press 1 to leave a message.