Public invited to see ‘New Frontiers’ of breast cancer risk modeling, treatment during free event in June

Experts in the field of breast density and cancer risk assessment will gather later this year on the Garden Isle to discuss the latest scientific advancements in breast cancer risk modeling and treatment.

The 11th International Breast Density and Cancer Risk Assessment Workshop, hosted by University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center, is scheculed June 4-6 at the Sonesta Kauaʻi Resort in Līhuʻe.

Members of the public are invited to attend a special free event — “New Frontiers” — starting at 5 p.m. June 6.

Those who attend will be treated to guided viewing of research posters, heavy pūpū and inspiring talks from workshop speakers and cancer thrivers.

This biennial workshop since its inception in 2002 has served as a premier global gathering for experts in the field of breast density and cancer risk assessment.

The timing of this year’s workshop is especially significant ater the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent update to the Mammography Quality Standards Act, which now requires mammography facilities to inform women about the density of their breasts, a key factor linked to breast cancer risk.

“Other than age, breast density is the strongest common risk factor for who will develop breast cancer,” University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center Chief Scientific Officer and researcher and co-chairman of the upcoming workshop John Shepherd said in an announcement about the event.

The conference will feature internationally recognized experts presenting about a range of topics including screening methods, next generation imaging technologies and clinical considerations for breast density.

There also will be oral and poster presentations selected from submitted abstracts across categories such as clinical considerations, accessible technologies, notification and awaredness for breast density and risk assessment.

“The Breast Density and Cancer Risk Assessment Workshop has been instrumental in shaping how we understand breast cancer risk across diverse populations,” psrofessor of medicine, epidemiology and biostatistics at University of California, San Francisco Dr. Karla Kerlikowske said in the conference announcement. “By bringing together researchers, clinicians and advocates, we are advancing the science and ensuring it translates into meaningful improvements in patient care.”

The 2025 workshop will also feature expanded programming focused on health disparities and environmental influences.

A highlight of the conference will be a presentation by Mary Beth Terry, a professor of epidemiology and environmental health at Columbia University and executive director of Silent Spring Institute.

Her talk titled “Why breast density can help us understand the role of environmental chemicals and breast cancer risk” will spotlight another particuarly relevent topic because of Hawaiʻi’s unique environmental context and diverse populations.

Visit the 11th International Breast Density and Cancer Risk Assesssment Workshop website to learn more and register.

University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center — which contributes more than %57 million to Hawai’i’s eonomy via scientific research, clinical trials and other activities — is dedicated to saving lives in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific, and inspiring hope by working to conquer cancer.

The flagship priority is to understand and address cancer health disparities, which the center strives to achieve through research, education, patient care and community outreach with a focus on the unique and diverse ethnic, cultural and environmental characteristics of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

Learn more about the center online.