Program Overview
For a downloadable version of the 2026 Program click here.
Day 1
Day 1 will provide the foundations of breast cancer risk management, including overviews of essential background information to ensure the audience members have equal access to information, regardless of experience or discipline. It will also feature a panel discussion that outlines current best practice of breast cancer risk management in Australia and internationally. The formal program will end at lunch to enable attendees to participate in one of three networking events in the afternoon, taking advantage of some of the unique experiences Perth has to offer.
Session 1: The John Hopper Oration
Celebrating 50 years of breast density research, this keynote presentation will provide an overview of landmark research, introduction of new technologies, burgeoning consumer advocacy, and resulting changes in clinical and screening policy.
We are delighted to announce Dr Graham Colditz from the Washington University School of Medicine as the inaugural presenter for the John Hopper Oration at BRiM 2026.
Graham A. Colditz, MD, DrPH, PRACP became interested in the potential of disease prevention during his medical training at the University of Queensland in Australia. Now, over 40 years later, he is an internationally recognized epidemiologist and public health expert on the causes and prevention of chronic disease, particularly breast cancer. He described the association of hormone therapy (estrogen plus progestin) and increased risk for breast cancer, smoking and stroke in women, and showed colorectal cancer is largely preventable. He led a multidisciplinary team to evaluate the effectiveness BCG vaccination at the time the CDC and the US were faced with drug resistant tuberculosis. He led a research team that developed risk prediction models to translate research into prevention strategies for cancer and other chronic diseases (www.yourdiseaserisk.wustl.edu). With Drs. Jiang and Bennett, they developed an AI-based approach to breast cancer risk prediction from screening mammograms that ties to national risk reduction guidelines. At the Siteman Cancer Center, he leads a range of studies, many focused on reducing health disparities in Siteman’s broader catchment area. These include, among others, an NCI P50 Implementation Science Center addressing disparities in cancer incidence and mortality in Siteman’s catchment and the Participant Engagement and Cancer Genomic Sequencing Center (PE-CGS) addressing disparities in three cancers that affect populations underrepresented in research.
After 23 years at Harvard University, Dr. Colditz joined the faculty of the Washington University School of Medicine in 2006 to serve as the Niess-Gain Professor of Surgery and Associate Director of Prevention and Control at the Siteman Cancer Center. He expanded the Siteman and NCI-funded Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities, and, in 2010, was named Chief of the Division of Public Health Sciences in the Department of Surgery. Dr. Colditz leads research studies in a variety of areas, including benign breast disease; adolescent diet, activity, and growth in relation to risk of premalignant breast lesions as well as invasive breast cancer; and implementing practice guidelines for prevention and access to prevention services through routine medical care settings. He has published over 1400 papers (Over 30% cited over 100 times) and has an h-index of 252 (Scopus) and 317 (Google Scholar).
Dr. Colditz is a member of The National Academy of Medicine, is a fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physicians and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, he has served on the NIH Council of Councils and the NCI Board of Scientific Advisors, among other professional affiliations.
Session 2: The Foundations of Breast Cancer Risk Management
9:30am: Consumer partnership to accelerate research into health policy and care Krysty Sullivan & Sandy Minck, Australian Breast Density Consumer Advisory Council |
9:45am: Defining Risk and Improving Breast Cancer Risk Communication Jennifer Stone, University of Western Australia |
10:00am: Aligning 5-Year and Lifetime Breast Cancer Risk Joy Jiang, Washington University, USA |
10:15am: Towards a risk-stratified future: a review of personalised approaches to breast screening in Australia Anna Withanage Dona, University of Melbourne |
Pop Quiz |
Session 3: Breast cancer risk management in action
11:00am: Panel discussion of current practice of breast cancer risk management in Australia and internationally
Anne White (Consumer representative, Australian Breast Density Consumer Advisory Council)
Lucy Gilkes (General Practitioner, University of Western Australia)
Michelle Reintals (Radiologist, Clinical Director, BreastScreen South Australia)
Catherine Murray (Breast Physician, BreastScreen Western Australia)
Cindy Schultz-Ferguson (Consumer representative, MyBRISK Centre for Research Excellence)
Afternoon and Evening networking opportunities.
Day 2
Day 2 will be action-packed with expertly crafted sessions targeting clinical management of breast cancer risk within asymptomatic women. Experts will present clinical guidance in relation to prescription of endocrine therapy, menopause hormone therapy, and supplemental screening (e.g. for women with dense breasts). Day 2 will also highlight the latest innovations in risk prediction and the biology of prevention. Expert facilitation will be complimented by panel discussions, case studies and/or audience Q&A. The day will end with a series of 5-minute cutting-edge presentations followed by the Conference Dinner in the evening.
Session 4: Managing Risks: Guidance for General Practitioners and Breast Specialists
9:00am: Considerations for simplifying breast density and risk assessment in primary care Anna Withanage Dona, University of Melbourne |
9:10am: Breast density notifications: process improvement from a Western Australian GP perspective Jacqueline Frayne and Lucy Gilkes, University of Western Australia |
9:25am: Sustainability of mammographic density reduction in the long-term after six months of low dose tamoxifen treatment Mikael Eriksson, Karolinska Institute, Sweden |
9:40am: Panel discussion with GPs, breast specialists, researchers and consumers using case studies Jodi Joyce (Consumer representative, Can at 40 Do at 45 Campaign) Andy Redfern (Medical Oncologist, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research) Paul Cohen (Gynaecologist, King Edward Memorial Hospital) Anna Withanage Dona (Academic, University of Melbourne) Jacqueline Frayne & Lucy Gilkes (GPs, University of Western Australia) Mikael Eriksson (Academic, Karolinkska Institute) |
Session 5: Innovations in risk prediction
11:00am: Mammogram Image-Based Risk: A response biomarker for trials and risk management Graham Colditz, Washington University, USA |
11:15am: AI-based BRAIx risk score for the intermediate term prediction of breast cancer: a population cohort study Helen Frazer, St Vincent’s BreastScreen |
11:30am: Beyond Density: Physics-Based Mammographic Tissue Subtyping Is Longitudinally Stable, Discriminates Malignancy Risk, and Captures MIRAI False Negatives Andre Khalil, University of Maine, USA |
11:45am: RoBiN: An acceptability and feasibility study of personalised screening within Australia’s national breast screening program Anna Withanage Dona, University of Melbourne |
12:00pm: Co-designing PERSONA: Precision prEvention of bReaSt and OvariaN cAncer Olivia Braniff | Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre |
12:15pm: A randomised controlled trial of polygenic-personalised risk assessment (PRiMo) in women undergoing predictive testing for breast cancer predisposition genes Paul James, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre |
12:30pm: Ask an Expert Q&A |
Session 6: Innovations in the biology of prevention
2:00pm: The Undiscovered Country: Prevention Potential for Links Between Mammographic Density and DNA Mutation in the Normal Breast Li-Lin Neo, University of Western Australia |
2:20pm: Role of macrophages in early breast cancer initiation and therapies to delay tumour onset Kara Britt, Peter MacCullum Cancer Centre |
2:40pm: Pregnancy induced tissue-resident memory T cells protect against breast cancer Kara Britt, Peter MacCullum Cancer Centre |
3:00pm: Development of novel cellular methods to investigate the mechanisms of polygenic risk in breast cancer Ashleigh Monson, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre |
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3:20pm: Pop Quiz |
Session 7: Cutting-Edge 5-minute Abstract Presentations
4:00pm: High Resolution Pathobiology of Focal Breast Density Brightness, a Risk-Associated Mammographic Density Feature Andy Redfern, Harry Perkins Medical Institute |
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4:05pm: Longitudinal Mammographic Density Trajectories for Early Prediction of Interval Breast Cancer: A Multi-Round Analysis of the Lifepool Cohort Osamah Al-Qershi, University of Melbourne |
4:10pm: Developing a preclinical mouse model of obesity driven postmenopausal breast cancer Giorgia Pillari, Peter MacCullum Cancer Centre |
4:15pm: Modifiable Lifestyle Factors During Adolescence and Breast Cancer Risk in Adulthood Fatemeh Hosseini, Adelaide University |
4:20pm: A systematic review of fibroadenoma and subsequent breast cancer risk by comparison groups Zhoufeng Ye, University of Melbourne |
4:25pm: Advancing Support for People at Hereditary Cancer Risk: A Snapshot of the Inherited Cancers Australia Support Service Gabrielle Reid, Inherited Cancers Australia |
Silent Auction |
Conference dinner
Day 3
Day 3 will focus on breast screening and ways to optimise participation, cancer detection, and personalised pathways to improve breast cancer outcomes, particularly within marginalized populations. We’ll squeeze in a General Abstract session before finishing with implementation challenges for translating research into clinical practice. Day 3 will end with award presentations and a reflection activity before the meeting closes.
Session 8: Risk management within underserved populations
9:00am: Interventions to increase participation in population-based breast cancer screening: A systematic review Dorinda ‘t Hart, University of Western Australia |
9:15am: Barriers and enablers to Chinese Australians’ participation in national cancer screening programs Jessica Tyler, University of Melbourne |
9:30am: A narrative review of breast cancer screening in West Africa: A radiographer’s perspective Elizabeth Dzidzornu, University of Western Australia |
9:45am: Investigating synergy between hormone replacement therapy and genomic variants in breast cancer risk Conor McGuinness, Peter MacCullum Cancer Centre |
10:00am: “We trust that nobody is going to come to the mosque to lie to us” – Lessons from mosque-based health promotion intervention on mammogram in Singapore Su-Ann Goh, National University of Singapore |
Qualitative Study: If you could do just one thing… |
Session 9: General Abstracts
11:00am: Comparing mammographic breast density measurement methods to estimate density change in a randomized placebocontrolled study of 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT) topical gel in women with dense breasts Gretchen Gierach, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, USA |
11:20am: Consistency of Breast Cancer Polygenic Risk Scores: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Publicly Available Models Di Mu, The University of Melbourne |
11:40am: Lifetime Endogenous Oestrogen Exposure, Genetic Susceptibility and Cancer Risks Xiaowen Liu, University of Melbourne |
12:00pm: Cardiovascular Risk Screening During Mammography: High Acceptability and Potential Equity Gains Lauren Houston, University of New South Wales |
12:20pm: Ask an Expert Q&A |
Session 10: Implementation challenges for breast cancer risk management
1:30pm: Implementing breast density reporting Sally Doncovio, BreastScreen Victoria |
1:50pm: System barriers to improving access to Prophylactic Mastectomy for people inherited high risk of breast cancer (IHRBC): a national clinical and consumer advocacy approach Melanie Walker, Breast Cancer Network Australia |
2:10pm: Implementation of risk stratified screening: Finding a way forward Jennifer Brooks, University of Toronto, Canada |
2:30pm: Storytelling |
Session 11: Awards and Reflections
3:00pm Silent Auction Results
3:05pm: Results of Qualitative Study: If you could do just one thing…
3:20-3:30pm: Reflections and Meeting Close
Meeting closes.
Networking Events
Take advantage of exclusive opportunities to network with fellow attendees on Tuesday afternoon while experiencing the natural beauty and vibrant culture of Perth.
Choose from three engaging activities, each designed to foster meaningful connections in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. Space is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Transportation from the summit venue to each activity location is included in the event cost.
Cruise on the Swan River
Unwind and connect with fellow attendees during a serene afternoon cruise along the iconic Swan River. Departing from Perth City and gliding towards the historic port town of Fremantle, this experience offers breathtaking coastal views, fresh river breezes, and a unique perspective of the city skyline. Enjoy light refreshments on board as you network in a relaxed, scenic setting—an ideal way to recharge while enjoying memorable interactions with peers.
Guided walking tour through King’s Park
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty and deep cultural significance of Kings Park, one of the world’s largest and most breathtaking inner-city parks. Renowned for its vibrant wildflower displays and unexpectedly diverse birdlife, this guided walk offers more than just spectacular views.
As you stroll through native bushland and landscaped gardens, take the opportunity to connect with fellow attendees in a tranquil, meaningful setting—where culture, nature, and conversation come together.
Caversham Wildlife Park
Step into the region’s rich natural landscape with an unforgettable visit to the state’s largest privately owned collection of native wildlife. Mingle with fellow attendees as you hand-feed friendly kangaroos, get up close with iconic Australian animals, and maybe cuddle your favourite marsupial. Set against a scenic bushland backdrop, this experience combines light-hearted adventure with unique photo opportunities—perfect for sparking conversation and forging lasting professional relationships in a truly Western Australian setting.