Researchers at BC Cancer, the University of British Columbia (UBC), Harvard Medical School and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) have pinpointed what could be the early genetic origins of breast cancer—cancer-like mutations appearing in the cells of healthy women.

Dr. Poul Sorensen is the recipient of the 2024 Doctors of BC Terry Fox Medal, a prestigious award recognizing outstanding individuals who have achieved success in clinical practice, research and/or teaching to advance cancer care. A distinguished scientist at the BC Cancer Research Institute (BCCRI) and professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Dr. Sorensen was selected based on his remarkable contributions to the field of pediatric cancer research and in translating scientific discoveries into clinical practice. 

Despite decades of advancement in treatment, cancer spreading to multiple parts of the body remains one of the biggest challenges facing patients and their health care teams.

This is particularly true for osteosarcoma, the most common bone cancer in children and teenagers. While survival rates are approximately 70 per cent for people with localized disease, there is a high risk of metastatic spread to the lungs, after which the odds of survival fall dramatically to 20 per cent or less.