Sharon H. Giordano, MD, MPH

2012-2013 BCRF Project:
(made possible by generous support from Play for P.I.N.K.)
On behalf of Breast International Group (BIG) and The North American Breast Cancer Groups (NABCG)
Co-Investigators: Fatima Cardoso, MD, Champalimaud Cancer Center, Lisbon, Portugal; John M.S. Bartlett, MD, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland; and Peggy L. Porter, MD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA

Due to the low incidence of male breast cancer, international cooperation is necessary to undertake relevant projects with potential clinical impact. With the support of BCRF, the Male Breast Cancer International Registration and Biologic Characterization Program has been launched as a joint effort between the Breast International Group (BIG) and the North American Breast Cancer Groups (NABCG) and coordinated by the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). In the first part of this program, clinical data and tumor samples from about 1,500 male breast cancer cases are being collected. Accrual to these studies is happening rapidly, and over 400 patients have registered. This is the largest study on male breast cancer to date. The pathology analysis of these tumor samples in the central labs will lead to a better understanding of the biological characteristics of this disease and to the identification of important potential prognostic (indicative of the good or bad outcome of the disease) and predictive (indicative of probability of response to certain therapies) markers. The second part of this program, a prospective registry, is about to be launched.

Mid-year Progress: To date, 700 patients registered for this study, which represents the largest study of male breast cancer ever undertaken. The pathology analysis of these tumor samples in the central labs will begin when all samples are received and will lead to a better understanding of the biological characteristics of this disease and to the identification of important potential prognostic (indicative of the good or bad outcome of the disease) and predictive (indicative of probability of response to certain therapies) markers. The second part of this program, a prospective registry, is being launched.

Bio:
Sharon Giordano is an Associate Professor with tenure at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Department of Breast Medical Oncology. Dr. Giordano received her undergraduate degree from Yale University and graduated summa cum laude and With Distinction in Biology. Dr. Giordano attended medical school at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha. She completed her Internal Medicine residency training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and fellowship in Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. In 2004, Dr. Giordano received a Master of Public Health degree in Disease Control from The University of Texas School of Public Health.

Dr. Giordano's research was initially supported by a NIH K07 award, and she is currently the principal investigator on funded projects from the American Cancer Society and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Her academic interests focus on health services research and breast cancer outcomes. She also has a clinical and research interest in male breast cancer and is co-chairing an international male breast cancer study.

Dr. Giordano is a member of the editorial boards for Cancer and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. She has authored over 80 articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Giordano serves on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Breast Cancer Guideline Committee and was a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Aromatase Inhibitor Guideline Committee. In 2010, she was the Track Leader for the ASCO Health Services Scientific Program Committee and served on the ASCO Education Committee.