Stavanger Breast Cancer Research Group (FFB) is assembled across departmental borders, but along the treatment trajectory of the breast cancer patients. The following research fields are represented: molecular biology, pathology, radiology, medical oncology, breast and endocrine surgery, plastic surgery, nursing researcher, patient representatives and medical humaniora (cultural studies researcher). Together, we create the pillars of the group’s motto: From molecule to the whole human being.

Our goal is to diminish over –and under treatment of breast cancer patients by improving diagnostics through a combination of fundamental and translational research. At the Department of Pathology most studies are based upon the archive material from breast cancer patients diagnosed between 1989- 2004. These studies include a combination of classical pathology with digital quantitative immunohistochemistry and molecular biology. At Department of Hematology and Oncology, the translational research was initially focusing on minimal residual disease in bone marrow of early breast cancer patients, and in this patient cohort we now have a median follow-up of 12.5 years. However, in the recent years the research has been more on detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from plasma as prognostic markers and as monitoring tool for treatment efficacy. The unit for breast –and endocrine surgery has the responsibility for the Prospective Breast Cancer Biobank (PBCB), a huge undertaking that aims to collect blood from 336 breast cancer patients. Blood and urine is collected every 6 month over a period of 10 years, while extensive PROM-data is collected every year. All patients are stadium I and II.

Group leader Emiel Janssen, PhD, Stavanger University Hospital. Photo: Svein Lunde.

Group leader Håvard Søiland, MD, PhD, Stavanger University Hospital. Photo: Svein Lunde.