What happened to "Ask the Expert" conferences?

otter

I used to look forward to the transcripts of BCO "Ask the Expert" online conferences. I never was able to submit a question, but it didn't matter, because somebody else always asked what I was thinking.

Not having noticed anything about the conferences lately, I checked the BCO archives... and found that the most recent "Ask the Expert" conference was conducted shortly after the December 2010 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium:  http://www.breastcancer.org/community/ask_expert/

The next-most-recent conference was held following the June 2010 ASCO meeting.  It looks like it's been 2-1/2 years since there was a BCO Ask the Expert conference dealing with something other than updates from SABCS or ASCO meetings.

Is there any particular reason why BCO decided to discontinue its Ask the Expert programs?

otter

ruthbru

I loved the Ask the Expert programs, and did actually get to ask some questions. It was very neat.

1Athena1

Otter, I have the same question. I really learned from them at dx - I would think they would be invaluable for newbies. In fact, along with the information about pathology, which is excllent on this site, the ATE conferences really make BCO stand out. Please bring them back, mods. If you need extra cash, I am sure we can all help out.

sushanna1

I've been wondering the same thing.  Thanks for asking Otter.  I especially appreciated them when first diagnosed. 

Moderators

Otter (and everyone), after years of conducting the Ask The Expert conferences online, BCO was experiencing lower attendance at the conferences themselves, while their cost remained the same.The ASCO and San Antonio conferences had the highest attendance, and they were the last to end.

Thank you for letting us know your views on the conferences. We're always interested in how you feel about BCO programs - past, present and future!

Your Mods

1Athena1

Too bad.

Have you ever considered webinars or chats?

Moderators

And we'll consider bringing them back in some form, if there is enough interest.....

Elizabeth1959

I'm interested

1Athena1

I'm in!

sam52

Yes, me too....I have really missed them

bevin

me too!

ruthbru

me three!

sam52

BUMP.....Now that there is a new format - please mods will you reinstate the ask-the-expert online conferences? This was a really valuable tool and provided access to the latest thinking and research on breast cancer topics.

I think that since these conferences have not been updated for such a long time, many members will be unaware of their existence, so haven't expressed their interest. If they were brought back, I am very sure they would be well-received.

Moderators

sam52, and everyone, as the team continues to explore this, can you each list the subject (or maybe up to your top 3) you'd be most interested in seeing covered at such a conference? Some examples of past subjects are here:

Ask-the-Expert Online Conferences

Thanks!

hereandnow

I think the ask the expert online conferences, especially around such key meetings as San Antonio, are an invaluable resource, for newly and not so newly diagnosed.

My 2 cents, I am interested in the latest evidence surrounding bisphosphonates and recurrence (Zometa)

Thanks for this and for running a truly wonderful resource for us all

Gitane

Here are some topics that are interesting to me :

1.  Where/how is data being gathered for side effects of AI use beyond 5 years?  How will this information be reported to doctors and patients?

2.  Is there a way to find out what biomarkers and molecular pathways are actively being studied in clinical trials and which are closest to being useful in the clinic?  What are they?

3.   How is the effectiveness of AI's beyond 5 years being studied/reported now?

4.   As clinical trials are expensive and it takes so long to get results, what is being proposed/done to help with this?

5.   What vaccine trials are reporting?  What types of vaccines look the most promising?

6.   Since ER+ breast cancer has a later recurrence pattern, are studies looking at longer follow up on these patients in the future?  5 year and even 10 year results may not give the whole picture.  

ruthbru

I am also very interested in the Als beyond 5 years research since my 5 years are up in August and I can't find any 'hard' information anywhere!