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Research Manager, Patient Advocates for Research Council
Office of Clinical & Translational Research in Oncology
Patty Spears provides scientific leadership and guidance to advance OCTR translational trials and data management of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology breast cancer research trials.
Patty also provides advocacy leadership for UNC Lineberger, including leadership of the Patient Advocates for Research Council and is a part of the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement.
Patty hopes to combine her scientific research and patient research advocacy experience to have an impact on the local and national fight against breast cancer.
News and Stories

Immune system B-cells can help predict HER2-positive breast cancer treatment response
Researchers report specific immune system cells can help them determine whether HER2-positive breast cancer will respond to treatment.

UNC Lineberger researchers present findings at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
UNC Lineberger researchers and colleagues will be presenting the latest findings from basic, translational and clinical studies at the 45th annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

American Society of Clinical Oncology honors Spears with Patient Advocate Award
The American Society of Clinical Oncology and Conquer Cancer recognized UNC Lineberger’s Patty Spears with its Patient Advocate Award, the society’s highest honor, at the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting.

Using telehealth to regularly report symptoms improved overall well-being for patients with advanced cancer
Ethan Basch, MD, MSc, FASCO, reports that people with advanced cancer who reported their symptoms weekly using an electronic survey had better outcomes compared to those who were evaluated less frequently via in-person clinical visits.