Join us for the EMBRACE Metastatic Breast Cancer Virtual Forum Series, a series of free online educational programs for patients, families, and loved ones. This series will continue throughout the coming months. Please check back for additional information about upcoming events.

To receive email updates about upcoming events, please email EMBRACE@dfci.harvard.edu.

For information about attending the sessions via Zoom, please scroll to the bottom of this page.

View recordings of prior sessions here.

The Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living Virtual Fair

February 2, 2022 | Noon - 1 p.m. ET

Specialists from the Zakim Center will provide an overview of programs and classes offered in the areas of exercise, expressive arts, meditation, and nutrition. Breakout groups for each specialty area will provide opportunities for questions and may include brief demonstrations.

Register for the Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living Virtual Fair here.

Sex, Intimacy, and MBC

February 9, 2022 | Noon - 1 p.m. ET

Sharon Bober, PhD, founder and director of Dana-Farber's Sexual Health Program, will discuss practical strategies to manage the sexual side effects and psychological challenges faced by many patients living with MBC. She’ll address biological and psychological factors that impact sexual health and intimate relationships, and will provide ideas for developing an action plan to address common problems.

Register for Sex Intimacy, and MBC here.

Research and Treatment for Metastatic Lobular Breast Cancer

March 29, 2022 | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. ET

Otto Metzger, MD, will discuss treatment and research for patients living with metastatic lobular breast cancer, including the latest updates from the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The session will be moderated by Laurie Hutcheson, executive director of the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance. Dr. Metzger’s presentation will be followed by a Q & A session.

Register for Research and Treatment for Metastatic Lobular Breast Cancer here.

CONCLUDED: Opening Event: Welcome Session with Nancy Lin, MD, and Eric Winer, MD

October 23, 2021 | 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. ET

Dr. Lin and Dr. Winer will discuss new developments and promising areas of research in metastatic breast cancer at Dana-Farber and beyond. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.

View the recording of this event here.

CONCLUDED: What’s New in Research and Treatment for ER+ Metastatic Breast Cancer

October 23, 2021 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET

Breast cancer experts Daniel Abravanel, MD, PhD, and Erica Mayer, MD, MPH, will discuss updates in research and treatment for ER+ metastatic breast cancer, with a Q&A session following the presentation. This session will take place at the same time as other What’s New in Research and Treatment sessions.

View the recording of this event here.

CONCLUDED: What’s New in Research and Treatment for HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer

October 23, 2021 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET

Breast cancer experts Heather Parsons, MD, MPH, and Ian Krop, MD, PhD, will discuss updates in research and treatment for HER2+ metastatic breast cancer, with a Q&A session following the presentation. This session will take place at the same time as other What’s New in Research and Treatment sessions.

View the recording of this event here.

CONCLUDED: What’s New in Research and Treatment for Triple Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer

October 23, 2021 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET

Breast cancer experts Filipa Lynce, MD, and Sara Tolaney, MD, MPH, will discuss updates in research and treatment for triple negative metastatic breast cancer, with a Q&A session following the presentation. This session will take place at the same time as other What’s New in Research and Treatment sessions.

View the recording of this event here.

CONCLUDED: Living and Aging with Metastatic Breast Cancer

October 29, 2021 | Noon – 1:30 p.m. ET

Rachel Freedman, MD, MPH, and Elizabeth Farrell, LICSW, will discuss the unique issues and treatment considerations older patients face when they are living with metastatic breast cancer, followed by a Q&A and then four breakout sessions. In the form below, please provide any questions you would like answered during the session and which breakout session you would like to attend.

Breakout Sessions:

1. Thinking about Your Legacy – Explore what impact you wish to have on family and friends while living with MBC or how you wish to be remembered afterwards.

2. Managing the Important Relationships in Your Life - Learn how to nurture important relationships in your life and examine the common challenges that may arise.

3. Emotional Impact of Living with MBC Long Term - Explore the unique challenges of living with metastatic breast cancer for many years.

4. Emotional Impact of Being Newly Diagnosed with MBC – Connect with other MBC patients diagnosed within the last year and learn how others are adjusting.

View the recording of this event here.

CONCLUDED: EMBRACing Young and Strong Art Party with At Peace Arts

November 4, 2021 | 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. ET

EMBRACing Young and Strong is a network of peer support uniquely designed for young adults who are living with metastatic breast cancer (diagnosed under the age of 45). This community provides a network of peer support—to connect and to enjoy each other’s company. Our goal is to provide a safe and comfortable space to build community and connections.

Please join us for a special evening of fun and creativity. With the guidance and encouragement of Kyia Watkins from At Peace Arts and DJ jams from her husband Al, we will gather to create a masterPEACE, step by step, in easy-to-follow instructions using art supplies typically found at home (paper, pencil, crayons, etc.).

Throughout this event, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and connect with other young adults who understand what it means and feels like to live with MBC.

Kyia will walk us through each step of the process – no prior experience necessary! Our goal is to have fun and connect with each other; owning a beautiful artwork of your own creation is just a side benefit.

To register, please complete the form below. A link to the Zoom event will be emailed to you after you complete the registration form.

This event was not recorded.

CONCLUDED: Managing Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis (BCBM): Multidisciplinary Expert Panel

November 16, 2021 | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. ET

Nancy Lin, MD will moderate a multidisciplinary expert panel, including Ayal Aizer, MD, MHS, radiation oncologist; Wenya Linda Bi, MD, PhD, neurosurgeon; Ugonma Chukwueke, MD, MPH, neuro-oncologist; and Lianne Kraemer, a patient advocate living with BCBM. Each panelist will briefly discuss their area of expertise, and together they will review several cases of patients with BCBM. A Q & A session will follow the panel discussion.

View the recording of this event here.

CONCLUDED: Clinical Trials: What You Need to Know

December 1, 2021 | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. ET

Ada Waks, MD, will provide an overview of breast cancer clinical trials, how they work, as well as how to find and evaluate clinical trials that might be right for you. Dr. Waks will be joined by two patients who will discuss their experience with breast cancer clinical trials and what they would like other patients to know. There will be time at the end of the session for questions.

View the recording of this event here.

CONCLUDED: Biomarkers for Treatment and Progression of MBC

December 15, 2021 | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. ET

Caroline Block, MD, will present practical information on how Dana-Farber oncologists follow patients’ disease progression and work with patients living with metastatic breast cancer to make treatment decisions. Dr. Block will cover topics such as scans, blood tests and tumor markers: when, why, and how they are used and the frequencies for each. The discussion will also include areas of research including circulating tumor DNA based assays. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.

View the recording of this event here.

Concluded: 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Update on MBC

January 21, 2022 | Noon - 1 p.m. ET

Hal Burstein, MD, PhD, will present an update on treatment and research for metastatic breast cancer from the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. He will discuss clinical trials leading to practice changes as well as promising areas of research. A Q & A will follow the talk.

View the recording of this event here.

Using Zoom

What happens when I register?

You’ll receive a link to join the Zoom session at the email address you provide.

How do I watch the session?

If you are new to using Zoom, please plan to join the event a few minutes early to give yourself time to get online.

Click the link sent to you by email, and you’ll be taken directly to Zoom and prompted to join the session.

What happens if I have problems or questions?

The Zoom website has a very comprehensive Help Center. For help with getting setup to use Zoom and with any issues you may encounter, please visit the Zoom Help Center.