* - Adobe Acrobat Reader required
The Seventh Annual International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research provided a forum for basic scientists, translational researchers, physician-scientists, primary care physicians, epidemiologists, and behavioral scientists from a variety of sectors in the cancer community to come together and focus on cancer prevention research. The conference program featured presentations from outstanding leaders in these fields. The conference was enriched by a variety of session formats – educational sessions, concurrent sessions, plenary sessions, as well as a professional advancement series session for young investigators, and a special session on NCI opportunities for junior investigators. There were unique opportunities for transdisciplinary interactions – a key hallmark of this conference and an essential element in making further progress in cancer prevention.
EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS
The conference opened with nine Educational Sessions designed to provide overviews of important aspects of cancer research for investigators who are not experts in these areas. The first three sessions ran concurrently beginning at 10:00 a.m. on November 16. An additional three sessions began at 1:00 p.m., and the final three sessions at 2:45 p.m..
OPENING PLENARY SESSION
On Sunday, November 16, at 6:00 p.m., the Opening Plenary Session was held in the Woodrow Wilson Ballroom located on the Conference level of the Gaylord National Resort. To begin the evening, Dr. Douglas R. Lowy of the National Cancer Institute presented the Distinguished Lecture on Targets for Cancer Prevention. Dr. Judith Campisi of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory presented the Keynote Address on cancer and aging.
PLENARY SESSIONS
The Program included five major Plenary Sessions that were intended to provide state-of-the-art data on relevant scientific topics of interest to a wide spectrum of cancer prevention investigators. Each Plenary Session featured experts in various fields and ample time for discussion. The sessions focused on molecular targets in cancer prevention; international cancer prevention; tumor microenvironment and inflammation; communications; and integrative prevention.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Fifteen Concurrent Sessions on a variety of topics were held throughout the conference.
SPECIAL SESSIONS
On Monday evening, November 17 at 6:00 p.m., the Behavioral Science Networking Event was held. This informal, interactive event was open to all those interested in behavioral science and cancer prevention and was sponsored by the AACR Task Force on Behavioral Science and Cancer which actively participated in planning the conference. The mission of the Task Force, chaired by Dr. Michael E. Stefanek of the American Cancer Society, is to advance the field of behavioral science research; foster today’s best science in the field of cancer-related behavioral research; increase the visibility of behavioral science research; highlight the best cancer-related research through AACR and its journals, Annual Meeting, and other forums; and encourage collaborative research contributions to the field of cancer research. For more information, please contact Mark Mendenhall at (215) 440-9300 or
mark.mendenhall@aacr.org.
Members of the Molecular Epidemiology Working Group (MEG) and those interested in the field were invited to attend a reception at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18. The session provided attendees with an opportunity to learn about MEG membership, meet with members of the MEG Steering Committee, and network with colleagues. MEG/AACR is a Scientific Working Group of epidemiologists, molecular biologists and geneticists, biochemists, toxicologists, nutritionists, clinical and translational researchers, pathologists, biostatisticians, ethicists and researchers from any other relevant scientific discipline who are interested in working together to increase knowledge about cancer and chronic disease etiology, thereby promoting the cure and prevention of cancer and the improvement of public health. MEG/AACR provides an ongoing forum for the scholarly discussion on the conduct and interpretation of molecular epidemiologic studies by sponsoring scientific and educational programs and activities that will advance the field, and by fostering partnerships and collaborations among scientists in a variety of disciplines encompassed in and related to molecular epidemiology. For more information on how to join MEG, please e-mail meg@aacr.org.
On Sunday, November 16 at 4:30 p.m., a Special Session was presented on NCI Opportunities for Junior Investigators. Dr. Jonathan S. Wiest of the National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Training, led this one-hour panel discussion with colleagues from the National Cancer Institute. Panelists gave an overview of training and grant funding mechanisms for new and junior investigators.
AWARD LECTURE
Dr. Frank L. Meyskens, Jr. of the University of California, Irvine was named the recipient of the Seventh Annual American Association for Cancer Research – Prevent Cancer Foundation Award for Excellence in Cancer Prevention Research. The Award Lecture, titled "Optimizing Chemoprevention by Minimizing Risk-Benefit and Maximizing Risk-Reduction," was given on Monday, November 17 at 5:00 p.m. in the Woodrow Wilson Ballroom.
POSTER SESSIONS
Nearly 300 abstracts were presented on Monday, November 17, and Tuesday, November 18 during two poster sessions. Experts from all areas of prevention research served as Poster Session Facilitators during the poster sessions and helped to guide poster discussions for the first hour of each session.
PROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT SERIES SESSION FOR YOUNG INVESTIGATORS
A special Professional Advancement Series Session for Young Investigators was chaired by Dr. Waun Ki Hong. The session began with short presentations by the panelists, followed by a question and answer period. Panelists were experts in the prevention field and discussed their career paths.
SPECIAL PROGAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
THE CONQUEST OF CANCER AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF RESEARCHERS
AACR is committed to the education and training of the next generation of able and dedicated cancer researchers. The Association was pleased to offer an AACR Special Program for High School Students which provided students the opportunity to network with peers while learning about cancer and the field of cancer research from established cancer investigators. The session included lectures from prominent cancer researchers on topics including Understanding Cancer, Keys to Cancer Prevention, and A Message from a Cancer Survivor.
SCIENTIST<->SURVIVOR PROGRAM
The AACR Scientist<->Survivor Program offered survivor and patient advocates tremendous exposure to the cutting-edge cancer research presented at the meeting and unparalleled opportunities to meet prominent cancer researchers from around the world. By strengthening communications and forging partnerships between these important communities in the cancer field, the Scientist<->Survivor Program enhances efforts to accelerate progress in the fight against cancer.