UC campuses join forces against breast cancer

Researchers and physicians with UC Irvine’s Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center have teamed with University of California colleagues to launch the Athena Breast Health Network. The groundbreaking project will screen an initial 150,000 California women for breast cancer and follow them for decades through the five UC medical centers. Ultimately, as many as 400,000 women may participate in the network. Athena’s organizers say the multiyear study will lead to more effective methods for screening, diagnosis and treatment, as well as improving survivors’ quality of life. “In terms of depth and breadth, from detection to survivorship, this will be the largest study of its kind,” says Hoda Anton-Culver, epidemiology professor and chair who is heading UCI’s effort.