Sarah To Breast Cancer Researcher Interview

Sarah To Breast Cancer Researcher Interview

Question: What inspired your career in breast cancer researcher?

Sarah To: I have a naturally curious mindset and like to ask questions. I also like to constantly discover new things, so research seemed a good fit as I could that every day. I was keen to do medical research in particular because I wanted my work to have a direct benefit on patients. Like most people, breast cancer has affected a number of my friends and family members. Helping to research the causes and possible novel treatment avenues for breast cancer seemed a good way for to contribute to addressing this important health challenge.


Question: Could you talk us through the study you've done to get where you are in your career?

Sarah To: After finishing year 12, I studied a Bachelor of Science at Monash University, where I mostly focused on genetics and molecular biology. Following my Bachelor degree, I completed a one-year honours research project at Prince Henry's Institute (PHI). This was when my work on breast cancer began. I really enjoyed my honours with PHI so decided to do my PhD research with the team at PHI. In total, I have completed eight years of undergraduate and postgraduate study to get to where I am today!


Question: What part of breast cancer research are you working on?

Sarah To: My field of research is epigenetics. This is the study of how factors other than genetic mutations contribute to cancer development. I am particularly interested in how our environment, including chemicals we encounter every day and the foods we eat, can alter the epigenetics in our cells. Specifically, I am looking at understanding how epigenetics effects breast cancer progression, and how we can use this information to develop new treatment options.


Question: What develops have you seen in this field?

Sarah To: Epigenetics is a relatively new field and there have been a great deal of new discoveries over the past few years. Technology has been a significant area of development with new platforms now available for us to study epigenetics. This has made it quicker than ever before to sequence the entire human genome and look for subtle changes that can mean an increased risk of developing cancer.


Question: Can you explain what this means for Australians?

Sarah To: An improved understanding of genetic and epigenetic breast cancer markers and their role in development and progression of breast cancer is vital to the development of better detection and treatment options. Current treatments can lead to relapse of disease or a number of detrimental side effects. If we can identify specific changes in the breast in cases of cancer, we can design drugs that will target the tumour specifically.

Question: What's it like to be young female working in this type of medical research?

Sarah To: There are still quite a few of us at this moment, as there tends to be more female junior researchers. However, the number of women in science drops off dramatically at the more senior levels mainly due to the difficulties that come with balancing work and family. There is a lot of pressure on scientists to be consistently productive in publishing your results; this becomes difficult when you take time off to start a family. Young women working within medical research are very aware of the challenges ahead as we strive for better representation of women at the senior levels.


Question: Is there a reason why you chose breast cancer as your post-doctoral fellowship?

Sarah To: It was a natural progression from my PhD studies, and is an area that fascinates me.


Question: How do campaigns like Pink Ribbon Day help you and other researchers make new cancer breakthroughs?

Sarah To: Making new discoveries is expensive! The cost of resources, as well as developing and using new technologies to remain at the forefront of cutting -edge research means we need the continued support through community investment. Campaigns such as Pink Ribbon Day enable us to continue making new discoveries as the money raised goes directly to research to help us in our search for better diagnostic indicators and improved treatment options.


Question: Can you talk us through what a typical day is like, for you?

Sarah To: Research work varies from day to day. Some days I am in the laboratory working on hands-on experiments and actively looking for new treatments for breast cancer. Other days I spend most of my time at desk, catching up on all the latest research from around the world and preparing my research as publications so that other people can read about my findings.


Question: Where do you see yourself, in the next five years, in terms of your career?
Sarah To: I was recently awarded a CJ Martin Biomedical Early Career Development Fellowship by the National Health and Medical Research Council. This provides funding to travel overseas to complete postdoctoral research. As a result, I am moving to the United States next year to further develop my medical research career by learning new techniques and collaborating with fellow scientists in a way not possible in Australia. I hope that this leads to further opportunities to be on my way to leading my own independent research team in the future.


Hold a pink ribbon fundraiser or donate by visiting www.pinkribbonday.com.au. Funds raised will go towards cancer research like Sarah's, prevention programs and support services for women affected by cancer.

Interview by Brooke Hunter