About the Study

It has been recognized for almost a century that bone is the most common site of breast cancer spread (metastasis); however we still do not understand how lifestyle factors and other health conditions influence the development of bone metastases, and why some breast cancer tumours establish persistent lesions in bone while others do not.  The Breast Cancer to Bone Metastases Research Program (The B2B Program) is a collaborative program with the primary goal of identifying factors related to the spread of breast cancer to bone.  To address these complex questions, the B2B Program, comprising investigators from Alberta Health Services – Cancer Care and the University of Calgary, is taking an interdisciplinary approach and applying a wide range of expertise, from basic science to population health and clinical care. 

The B2B Program will provide a solid framework and a rich data source for future avenues of research.  Collaboration with a number of investigators has already begun and future projects are being developed.  The B2B Program team hopes to identify lifestyle, clinical, basic biology and treatment factors that will aid in the prevention, early detection and successful treatment of breast cancer to bone metastases.  Furthermore, the B2B Program aims to establish a "Centre of Excellence" for bone metastasis research in Alberta, by exploiting the existing strengths in bone metastasis research in the province.