SPHERE
Strategies for Precision Health in Breast Cancer
Welcome
Strategies for Precision Health in Breast Cancer (SPHERE) is a multidisciplinary team of health service researchers dedicated to improving treatment and outcomes for breast cancer patients in Alberta through precision medicine, big data and machine learning.
What is Precision Medicine?
Precision medicine combines the study of patient characteristics—including genetics, lifestyle and environment—with the strategic analysis of big data—large data sets composed of routinely-collected health information—to stratify patient populations. This allows healthcare professionals to determine characteristics of high-risk patients, predict prognosis and outcomes, make informed decisions about existing treatments and develop new treatments. Rather than treating patients with a “one-size-fits-all” approach, this medical model allows for precise assessment of individual response and outcomes.
Our Research
Precision medicine, big data and machine learning
Routinely-collected data is one of the keys to the improving the prevention, prediction and treatment of breast cancer. SPHERE's research leverages large health data sets to create algorithms that reveal patterns and trends among breast cancer patients. Using these findings, providers can precisely assess their patient’s prognosis, treatment response and outcomes.
Treatment outcomes for special populations
Women under 40 face unique challenges that impact the quality of their care and outcomes, yet young women with breast cancer are often underrepresented in breast cancer research. SPHERE aims to improve knowledge around this unique group, and through data-driven research, improve prognoses and outcomes for these women.
Best practices for patient-centered care
The individuals being affected the most by breast cancer are at the forefront of SPHERE's work. Through active collaboration with patients and providers, interventions are created to improve shared decision-making, integration, access and communication in the healthcare system.
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