Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2023: Amplifying the Patient Voice
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month, people wear pink ribbons and pink clothing to raise awareness and recognize the millions of people living with and beyond breast cancer. October 13 also marks Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, which aims to raise awareness for those affected by this advanced form of breast cancer and highlights an important need for more research in this area. In Canada, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women and an estimated 1 in 8 women in Canada will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.Footnote 1
The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) is dedicated to supporting transformative breast cancer research to help all those impacted by the disease. From 2017 to 2022, ICR has invested $129M in breast cancer research, championed by our community of cancer researchers, national and international partners, and those with lived and living experience. This October, we continue to promote the importance of breast cancer prevention, screening, detection, and treatment efforts—all fueled by ground-breaking and impactful research.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2023, ICR is amplifying the patient voice and engagement in research. Michelle Audoin is a prominent breast cancer advocate in the research community, with living experience of breast cancer. In April 2023, she was one of three patient partners ICR co-sponsored to participate in the American Association for Cancer Research Scientist - Survivor Program (AACR-SSP). Learn more about Michelle's experience with breast cancer advocacy and what she learned at the AACR-SSP:
Michelle Audoin
"The best part of my advocacy work is getting to see the change that I am advocating for. There's such a feeling of gratitude when, after a presentation or an interaction on a panel, someone is able to take something from my experience and share how they will use this knowledge to do better at their workplace, or to improve the services in the communities that they serve in the cancer care space."
Instagram: @michelle_audoin
Michelle's advocacy started after she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2017. Frustrated by the lack of images featuring Black women and their reconstructed breasts and scars, she turned to journaling. After years of feeling unseen and unheard, Michelle created Uncovered: A Breast Recognition Project, in collaboration with Rethink Breast Cancer. A first of its kind resource in Canada, Uncovered features the beautiful images and stories of Black, Indigenous, and people of colour affected by breast cancer.
Michelle's advocacy journey led her to many fulfilling opportunities. In 2020, she attended and spoke at the World Cancer Congress in Geneva, Switzerland. Most recently, she became a member of the Ontario Institute of Cancer Research's Patient and Family Advisory Council. She collaborates and works with Rethink Breast Cancer, the Abbey Retreat Centre, and the Patient as Teacher Program at the University of Toronto.
One of Michelle's main motivators is to shed light on the disparities and discrepancies that exist in cancer care. She has shared her story on podcasts, health equity panels, and in the media. While it is easy for her to feel angry about the challenges of living with a life-limiting cancer diagnosis, Michelle's advocacy work gives her a sense of purpose and meaning as a changemaker. Her hope is that researchers and those working in cancer care will have a better understanding of the unmet needs of patients and will do more to address them.
Michelle found the AACR-SSP to be a positive and enriching experience. She felt honored to be a part of both the AACR-SSP 25th anniversary celebrations and the patient advocate community that is highly regarded by the association. A highlight of her experience was learning from scientists and researchers about the advances being made in cancer research and having the opportunity to engage in bilateral discussions with them. She also found learning about the work of other patient advocates to be a source of inspiration and welcomed the opportunity to make connections.
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