Nichols awarded Avon grant to study pregnancy-associated breast cancer

November 12, 2014

Marc Hurlbert, Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade executive director (left), presents a ceremonial check for $200,000 to Dr. Hazel Nichols.

Hazel Nichols, PhD, assistant professor of epidemiology at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Avon Foundation for a study that will analyze data from 18 ongoing studies on pregnancy-associated breast cancer.

The grant was presented at the Charlotte (N.C.) Avon Walk for Breast Cancer on Oct. 26, which raised $1.4 million to accelerate breast cancer research and improve access to screening, diagnosis, treatment and education.

Eloise Caggiano, breast cancer survivor and Avon Walk for Breast Cancer program director, announced Nichols’ grant and four others to local breast cancer organizations, ensuring that the funds raised at the event will immediately benefit the local community.

“These grants represent only a portion of the funding that the Avon Foundation will distribute in the Carolinas and across the country this year, but we want to make sure the impact of your Walk begins today,” Caggiano said.

Breast cancers diagnosed during the postpartum period are more likely to be at an advanced stage compared to those diagnosed among similarly-aged women who have not given birth.

Together with member studies in the National Cancer Institute Cohort Consortium, the grant awarded to Nichols makes it possible to collect information from more than a million women (including more than 15,000 breast cancer diagnoses) to examine pregnancy-related breast cancer according to maternal age, breastfeeding patterns and tumor subtype.

“It’s a privilege to receive this grant at the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer closing ceremony,” Nichols said. “It’s a great opportunity for walkers and supporters to see the research their efforts make possible and to be able to say thank you in person.”

The Avon Walk Charlotte was the last of eight walks taking place around the country in 2014. This is the 12th year of the Avon Foundation’s sponsorship of the national events.

For more information on the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, including events scheduled for next year, visit www.avonwalk.org.

Gillings School of Global Public Health contact: David Pesci, director of communications, (919) 962-2600 or dpesci@unc.edu.