Q &A on Breast Cancer Disparities

Dr. Peggy Porter, head of the Breast Cancer Research Program at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, studies the molecular details of different types of breast tumors and the characteristics — such as age, ethnicity and environmental exposure — that can alter an individual’s cancer risk. With this information, she aims to help make breast cancer treatment more personalized and effective. We chatted with her about the importance of understanding the role that genetics and other factors can play in breast cancer, how a lack of comprehensive research has hampered access to treatment improvements among minority women, and how her research is designed to address this issue.