The second annual Global Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day on October 15, 2025 continued to shine a spotlight on Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) across the world!
With events in 7 countries and 10 US States, TV and radio interviews, governors’ proclamations in 24 US states, and over 10 social media reels from patients and their families seen by tens of thousands, the lobular community was heard around the world raising awareness about lobular breast cancer. Captured for the first time on an LBCA live event portal online, the reach and impact of the October 15th campaign is still being felt but includes these important achievements:
Three more hospitals announced new ILC programs, bringing the US hospital-based ILC programs from 0 to 6 in two years!
- The University of Pittsburgh Hillman Cancer Center in Pennsylvania announced its new ILC Center of Excellence
- The Cleveland Clinic announced its Comprehensive Lobular Breast Cancer Program in Ohio
- The Ohio State University Lobular Breast Cancer Program was announced at the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State University.
We reached our fundraising goal! We raised over $150,000 to fund more ILC research including on the even less studied ILC subtypes, the metastatic tumor environment, and dormancy. Thanks to generous donors, we were able to match up to $75,000 of your gifts through Oct 15th.
LBCA was formally recognized for our advocacy! We received a legislative commendation for raising awareness of Lobular Breast Cancer from the Massachusetts legislature, which is also moving a bill forward requiring annual observance of Oct 15th.
US State Governor's Proclamations
Thanks to the efforts of many patient advocates and ILC researchers, 24 US Governors proclaimed October 15th Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day!
Proclamations were received in AZ, CO, CT, GA, HI, ID, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MS, NH, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA WI and WV and two mayor’s proclamations in Toronto, Canada and Fairbanks, Alaska.
Click here to see the individual state governor’s proclamations.
Global Awareness Day Events
Read below for recaps from Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Ireland, and The Netherlands and in the US from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington!
Recordings of webinars and presentations are linked below, and will be added as they are made available.
Australia
LBCA Scientific Advisory Board Member, Dr. Pete Simpson and colleague Dr. Amy McCart Reed of the University of Queensland in Australia hosted an educational webinar on Lobular Breast Cancer, including presentations from A/Prof Sanjay Warrier, Breast Surgeon; Dr. Sarita Bahure, Radiologist and Dr. Pete Simpson, Cancer Researcher.
Brazil
The Brazilian Group for Breast Cancer Studies (GBECAM) presented a webinar for clinicians in recognition of Global Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day in Brazil on October 14th, including these presentations:
Innovative approaches for lobular breast cancer – Jason Mouabbi, MD (MD Anderson Cancer Center – USA) with Q&A
Multidisciplinary case discussion with Arthur Acciolly (Radiation Oncology – BA), Beatriz Maranhão (Radiology – PE), Heloisa Magalhães (Breast Surgery – CE), and Ruana Rocha (Pathology – CE)
Moderator: Pedro Freire
Check back soon for the recording!
Canada
LBCA Scientific Advisory Board member, Dr. David Lim, Breast Surgical Oncologist at Women’s College Hospital, Dr. Christine Brezden-Masley, Medical Oncologist, Mount Sinai Hospital and Kimberly Carson, Chief Executive Officer, Breast Cancer Canada, joined Brenda Cunnington, Managing Director, Americas, Trayport at TMX Group, and member of the LBCA Board of Directors to open the market in recognition of Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day. During the event, Breast Cancer Canada made several announcements including:
- Project Connect for breast cancer patients now has specific info on lobular.
- Project Tracker, a worldwide study of breast cancer patients, will now capture lobular information.
- The REAL Alliance, a group of researchers that includes Dr. Christine Brezden-Masley are developing standards of care for lobular which will be released next year.
- BC Canada’s call for grants this year will solely fund lobular research!
The City of Toronto also issued a proclamation declaring October 15th, Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
France
The Institute of Women’s Cancers presented a webinar, presented in French with subtitles. The program included:
Françoise Feger – Collectif Triplettes Roses, shared her experience through her graphic novel Cancer royal
Laure Guéroult-Accolas – Patients en réseau
Caroline Malhaire and Romain-David Seban – Institute of Women’s Cancers, Institut Curie, discussed imaging in lobular breast cancer: “Seeing better to treat better.”
Ireland
LBCA Patient Advocate, Ciara Mohan-Gustafson hosted an event at the Millmount Tower in the heart of Drogheda, Ireland. She shared her story and experience with Lobular Breast Cancer as well as facts about ILC and educational materials. In recognition of Global Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day, the Millmount Tower was lit up pink.
Ciara was recognized by the district council as a “Community Champion” for her advocacy and awareness raising efforts to educate women about lobular breast cancer and presented an award by the council. Hubert Murphy, CEO of Drogheda & District Chamber, posted this tribute to Ciara on Linkedin.
The Netherlands
A webinar symposium was held at UMC Utrecht in the Netherlands in collaboration with LBCA Scientific Advisory Board Member, Dr. Patrick Derksen and Rian Terveer who represents the Dutch patient advocacy for the European Lobular Breast Cancer Consortium (ELBCC). The presentation includes:
Welcome and Introduction: Agnes Jager (Medical Oncologist/Session Leader, Erasmus MC)
- What is Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer? Patrick Derksen (Medical Biologist; UMC Utrecht, ELBCC)
- Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer, always an MRI scan? Janneke Houwers (Radiologist, Maastricht UMC+)
- Latest developments regarding ILC Agnes Jager (Medical Oncologist, Erasmus MC)
- Adjuvant hormonal treatment for lobular breast cancer Sabine Linn (Medical Oncologist, NKI/AvL).
United Kingdom
London Lobular Breast Cancer Research Partnership Day was held at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), The Chester Beatty Laboratories.
In recognition of Global Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day the 3rd annual Lobular Breast Cancer Research Partnership Day was held for patients to learn from other patients, health professionals and researchers about Lobular and the work that is being done to improve outcomes for everyone affected by this distinct disease. Presentations included:
- Introduction to the ICR and challenges In ILC research – Dr Rachael Natrajan, The ICR
- Lobular Breast Cancer UK (LBCUK) What we do & the patient perspective – Claire Turner
- Research in Leptomeningeal disease and relevance to Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) – Dr Amanda Fitzpatrick, The ICR and Guys Cancer Centre
- The role of whole body MRI in diagnosing and monitoring ILC (virtual) – Dr Nina Tunarui, Consultant Radiolgist, The Royal Marsden Hospital & The ICR
- ILC clinical research: ROLo and beyond – Dr Alicia Okines, The Royal Marsden Hospital & The ICR
- Translating pre-clinical research in ILC – Dr Renee Flaherty, St George’s Hospital
- The importance of patient samples in ILC research – Prof Elinor Sawyer, The ICR and Guys Cancer Centre
- Lobular Breast Cancer research at the ICR – Dr Rachael Natrajan & Dr Thurkaa Shanmugalingham, The ICR
The day involved representatives from Guy’s & St Thomas Hospital, Lobular Breast Cancer UK, St George’s Hospital, The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research
United States
CALIFORNIA
University of California, San Francisco
In recognition of Global Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day, the University of California, San Francisco is holding a Breast Oncology Program Seminar for professionals and a Breast Cancer Forum for patients and families in the evening. The Breast Oncology Program Seminar highlighted the lobular breast cancer research program at UCSF, including these topics:
- Clinical features and challenges in invasive lobular carcinoma: overview of the UCSF Lobular Breast Cancer Research Program; Rita Mukhtar, MD
- ILC Pathology; Julia Ye, MD, PhD
- Imaging in ILC; Elissa Price, MD
- Circulating tumor DNA in early-stage breast cancer with emphasis on invasive lobular cancer in I-SPY2; Mark Magbanua, PhD
- Organoids in ER+ breast cancer and ILC; Jennifer Rosenbluth, MD, PhD
Southeast Ventura County YMCA
LBCA patient advocate, Janet Lapins, raised awareness of lobular breast cancer during October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the Southeast Ventura County YMCA. She distributed educational materials to over 40 women and had in-depth conversations about her diagnosis and experience with 30 women.
COLORADO
University of Colorado
LBCA Scientific Advisory Board Member, Dr. Matt Sikora and Front Range ILC hosted their 2nd annual Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day at the University of Colorado, including an extensive program with educational sessions, research posters and a lab tour for those in-person.
American Cancer Society Making Strides Walk, Denver
CONNECTICUT
LBCA patient advocate Maggie Lederer represented LBCA at the ACS Making Strides of Fairfield County event in Connecticut on Sunday, October 19th, and distributed educational materials about lobular breast cancer.
MISSOURI
Imaging for Women in Kansas City
In recognition of the 2nd Annual Global Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day, LBCA patient advocate Karan Garrison in Kansas City, Missouri hosted an event representing LBCA at Imaging for Women with Dr. Zukon. Karan and Dr. Zukon distributed educational materials about lobular breast cancer and shared a clip of the event on Instagram.
NORTH CAROLINA
Women’s Club of Raleigh
Komen More Than Pink Walk in Charlotte
LBCA South Carolina LAT members, Julie Ray and Kathie Nejberger, participated in the Komen More Than Pink Walk in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 11th, as part of the October 15th Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day campaign. They represented LBCA at a table and distributed educational materials on Lobular Breast Cancer.
Julie was also interviewed on a local radio show, WHRI FM 100.1 about lobular breast cancer and the awareness day.
OHIO
Cleveland Clinic
The Cleveland Clinic hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness Month celebration to connect patients with advocacy groups, resources, patient services and fellow survivors and caregivers.
LBCA Scientific Advisory Board Member, Dr. Megan Kruse joined LBCA Development Associate Carrie Burns and hosted a table to distribute educational information on lobular breast cancer.
The Cleveland Clinic was also one of 3 hospitals to announce new ILC programs this year, and their announcement and patient stories were featured in regional press as well as this interview with patient Tammy McDevitt in People magazine.
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
In recognition of Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center a Breast Cancer Translational Research Program Retreat was hosted by LBCA Scientific Advisory Board Member, Dr. Daniel Stover. The event was for anyone interested in or doing breast cancer research at Ohio State University.
OREGON
Providence Cancer Institute in Portland, Oregon
Providence Cancer Institute’s Dr. Sasha Stanton hosted a virtual presentation on Lobular Breast Cancer in partnership with the Pink Lemonade Project. Laurie Hutcheson, LBCA Executive Director also discussed how LBCA is raising awareness of Lobular Breast Cancer and supporting patients.
Exploring Current Knowledge and Advancing Understanding of This Understudied Disease
Dr. Stanton discussed the current understanding of lobular breast cancer, highlighting what is known and what is missing. As well as the data on the spatial immune environment of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). She covered breast cancer recurrence, focusing on general breast cancer cases and lobular cancer, and discussed its implications for patient outcomes. Dr. Stanton also presented data on the development of a lobular prevention vaccine.
PENNSYLVANIA
University of Pennsylvania
At the University of Pennsylvania Dr. Rachel Jankowitz and Dr. Oluwadamilola (Lola) Fayanju presented a webinar for clinicians on lobular breast cancer, ILC patient Lana joined them for a panel discussion.
University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Women’s Hospital announced the opening of an ILC Program of Excellence. An in-person event for ILC researchers, trainees and faculty was held.
Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia
LBCA Board of Directors member Kathy Krantz represented LBCA at the Together Facing Breast Cancer event at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, as part of the Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day campaign.
The event included a free educational workshop and exhibit hall . The program featured a panel of Fox Chase clinicians and researchers discussing promising treatments for breast cancer. Patient advocacy groups, industry partners, and Fox Chase special services also participated in the event to provide helpful resources.
TEXAS
UT Health San Antonio, Mays Cancer Center in San Antonio
On October 15th, the inaugural Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance-sponsored, annual guest lectureship on Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) was being held at the UT Health San Antonio, Mays Cancer Center GrandRounds. This first lecture is in memory of Dr. Deborah Mueller, LBCA board of directors’ member and USHSCSA surgeon, who passed away from metastatic lobular breast cancer in 2023.
“Recognizing and Redefining the Unique Path of Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)” was presented by Dr. Jason Mouabbi, Chair of the LBCA Board of Directors and Assistant Professor and Breast Medical Oncologist at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Dr. John Doski, Division Chief for Pediatric Surgery in the UTHSCSA Department of Surgery, LBCA Board of Directors member and husband of the late Dr. Deborah Mueller gave welcome remarks, and Laurie Hutcheson, LBCA Executive Director presented on the critical need for more targeted ILC research.
Baylor College of Medicine in Houston
The Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine hosted events for Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day including a virtual presentation followed by an in-person rally on the Baylor campus at 2 pm to cheer on research and advocate for a cure.
Dr. Suzanne Fuqua, Professor and Research Patient Advocate and ILC Survivor presented an overview of lobular breast cancer for the public and was joined by colleagues Associate Professor Ashley Roark on Radiology and Patient Advocate Emily Madaras shared the story of her mother’s journey with ILC and how it inspired her own education and research into lobular breast cancer.
UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center in Dallas
A presentation for patients, nurses, APPs, staff, and faculty was held to discuss lobular breast cancer, the agenda included:
- What is Lobular Breast Cancer? by Sheeba Cantenelli, M.P.A.S., PA-C, and Suzanne Conzen, M.D.
- [18F]Fluoroestradiol PET: Utility in Lobular Breast Cancer by Orhan K. Oz, M.D., Ph.D.
- Clinical Trials Specific to Lobular Breast Cancer by Nisha Unni, M.D., and Heather McArthur, M.D.
- In the Lab: Identifying New Targets Lynda Bennett, Ph.D.
WASHINGTON
Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle
A global lobular breast cancer awareness day event sponsored by Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance PNW Patient Advocates was held at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center:
Spotlight on lobular breast cancer: What patients, PCPs & oncs need to know. Fred Hutch experts presented about lobular breast cancer’s history, screening & surveillance challenges, new findings & clinical trials. Featured speakers included:
- Epidemiologist Dr. Chris Li: Lobular breast cancer’s fascinating hormonal history
- Radiologist Dr. Diana Lam: Lobular’s screening and surveillance challenges
- Oncologist Dr. Hannah Linden: New findings and lobular clinical trials
A 30-minute lab tour of translational researcher Dr. Kevin Cheung’s lab followed the presentation. LBCA Patient Advocate Advisory Board Member and Senior Writer/Editor for Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Diane Mapes, provides a detailed overview of the event here: “Patient stories, provider advice mark invasive lobular breast cancer awareness event.”
The impact of the 2nd annual Global Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day is still being felt, more interviews and recordings will be shared here soon!
LBCA is thankful to the community of patient advocates, clinicians, scientists and partner organizations that joined this worldwide movement to raise awareness of Lobular Breast Cancer.