Global insights and local voices on metastatic breast cancer

Hope S. Rugo, MD FASCO, is a medical oncologist and haematologist specialising in breast cancer research and treatment. A Professor of Medicine, Dr. Rugo joined the Breast Care Centre in 1999 after a decade of experience at University of California San Francisco (UCSF) in malignant hematology and bone marrow transplantation for a variety of diseases, including breast cancer. She entered the field of breast cancer to incorporate novel therapies based on an understanding of the biology of cancer with excellent quality of care into the treatment of women with breast cancer.

Katie-Marie Thorpe is a member of the BCNA Metastatic Breast Cancer Lived Experience Reference Group, a marketing and design professional, a dog mum, and a young women’s health advocate.

Diagnosed with Stage 2 ER+/PR+ Breast Cancer in 2018, she underwent three surgeries, six months of chemotherapy, and 23 rounds of radiation. Despite completing her initial treatment in October 2019, she received a Stage 4 metastatic diagnosis in May 2020 after the cancer spread to her bones. Celebrating four years of stability on her first line of treatment, Katie continues to work in health advocacy, stay active with regular gym sessions, and support women’s health through various campaigns.