Caris Sponsors CancerCare Connect Education Workshop on Molecular Profiling in the Treatment of Breast Cancer

IRVING, Texas, Dec. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Caris Life Sciences, a leading biosciences company focused on enabling precise and personalized healthcare through molecular profiling and blood-based diagnostic services, announces its sponsorship and support of the CancerCare Connect Education Workshop entitled, "Understanding the Molecular Portrait of Breast Cancer," December 14, 2012, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm , ET at www.cancercare.org/connect_workshops.

The patient-focused workshop agenda includes an overview of breast cancer, including discussions about the current standard of care; innovations in biomarker testing and molecular profiling of breast cancer; and the role of personalized medicine in facilitating treatment decision-making.

"Caris Life Sciences is committed to improving patient outcomes by using the latest molecular technologies and best practices to help physicians make more informed treatment decisions based on a person's individual tumor genetics," said Amy Cunniffe, Senior Vice President, Patient Advocacy Liaison.  "Our support for CancerCare and its Connect Education Workshop underscores Caris' continued commitment to educating patients about molecular profiling and advancing the field of personalized medicine."

"CancerCare is grateful to Caris Life Sciences for their support," said Carolyn Messner, DSW, CancerCare Director of Education and Training. "The professional oncology social workers at CancerCare are committed to empowering people  with cancer to take an active role in their treatment,  including learning about new technologies such as those provided by Caris Life Sciences that help patients and caregivers make informed decisions about their care."

The telephone education workshop will feature an expert panel of health professionals from around the country who will discuss new, molecular profiling-based treatment approaches in breast cancer, with a special focus on targeted therapies and notable clinical trials. Registered participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions of the expert panelists after their formal presentations.   

Anyone interested in participating in this Connect Education Workshop is encouraged to register here: http://www.cancercare.org/connect_workshops/321-molecular_portrait_breast_cancer_2012-12-14.

Featured expert panelists will include:

• Ruth Oratz, MD, FACP: The Women's Oncology and Wellness Practice, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine
• Julie R. Gralow, MD: Professor, Medical Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Jill Bennett Professorship in Breast Cancer, Director, Breast Medical Oncology, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
• Generosa Grana, MD: Professor, Cooper Cancer Institute, Head, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Cooper University Hospital, Associate Professor of Medicine, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
• Kristy Case, MSW, OSW-C: Clinical Coordinator for Women's Cancers, CancerCare

About Caris Life Sciences
Caris Life Sciences is a leading biosciences company focused on developing and delivering innovative molecular diagnostic, prognostic, and theranostic services. The company's evidence-based molecular profiling service matches molecular data generated from a patient's tumor with biomarker/drug associations derived from the world's leading clinical cancer literature. This service uses the most advanced and clinically relevant technologies to provide physicians with information to aid in the selection of personalized cancer treatments more likely to work for each patient. Caris is also developing a series of blood tests based on the company's proprietary Carisome™ platform — a proprietary, blood-based testing technology for diagnosis, prognosis, and theranosis of cancer and other complex diseases. Through the precise and personalized information provided by technologies like molecular profiling and Carisome, the company believes that the quality of healthcare can be dramatically improved, while also significantly reducing costs. Headquartered in the Dallas metroplex, Caris Life Sciences offers services throughout the United States, Europe, and other international markets. To learn more, please visit www.carislifesciences.com.

About CancerCare®
CancerCare is a national nonprofit organization providing free, professional support services to individuals, families, caregivers and the bereaved. Services include counseling and support groups, educational publications, workshops and financial assistance. Founded in 1944 and headquartered in New York City, CancerCare serves all 50 states, including both urban and rural communities. All services are provided by professional oncology social workers and are offered completely free of charge. To learn more, call 800-813-HOPE (4673) or visit www.cancercare.org.

SOURCE Caris Life Sciences