The 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium^® kicks off today in person at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and worldwide for virtual registrants. A robust schedule of scientific programming and multidisciplinary discussions awaits, and each morning, SABCS Meeting News will provide a rundown of what you need to know for the day ahead.

Before you step into the convention center or log onto the virtual platform, pull up the registration confirmation email that you received in your inbox last week. This handy email includes your login credentials for the SABCS^® app and virtual platform, instructions about how to pick up your badge, and other important information to help you get the most out of the 2024 SABCS^®.

Don’t miss two exciting additions to this year’s symposium: First, support early-career scientists and have a chance to win free registration to the 2025 SABCS^® by participating in the SABCS^® Duck Pluck — grab a duck and try your luck at the SABCS^® Store in the main lobby of the convention center before 11 a.m. CT on Thursday.

Also, make sure to pick up a copy of the SABCS^® Meeting Magazine in the lobby of the convention center (also available online for virtual attendees) — this beautiful commemorative publication includes a schedule-at-a-glance, maps, and informative features about the symposium’s history, standout sessions, and more.

Without further ado, here are your schedule highlights for Tuesday, December 10, 2024.

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(Full session details can be found in the SABCS® 2024 app, virtual platform, and on SABCS.org.)

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Ancillary educational events

In-person attendees can get a head start on important breast cancer conversations in Room 221ABC at the convention center during two events that will be held just before the start of the official SABCS® program. These events will not be available online or for on-demand viewing, so don’t miss your chance to participate in the dialogue.

From 8 to 9:15 a.m., join a panel on the Lancet Breast Cancer Commission report, including discussions on metastatic breast cancer, addressing the hidden costs and suffering of breast cancer, reducing breast cancer burden, and ensuring equitable access to optimized locoregional treatment.

From 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., join the ABC Global Alliance and MBC Alliance for “The Do’s & Don’ts of Communication on Advanced/Metastatic Breast Cancer,” a workshop on enhancing communication about challenging health decisions.

Concurrent special sessions

Dive into some of the most anticipated topics in breast cancer research and care during three concurrent special sessions from 12 to 1:45 p.m. CT. There’s something for everyone — a panel discussion on reducing obesity-related risk, behind-the-scenes insights about U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulatory approvals, and an enlightening look about cannabis use and other lifestyle considerations during treatment.

Having a hard time choosing? Don’t worry. All SABCS^® sessions are being recorded for on-demand viewing via the virtual platform, so you don’t have to miss a thing. Click the links below to read individual session previews from SABCS Meeting News.

• Risk Reduction and Early Detection: Mechanisms of Obesity-Related Risk for Breast Cancer and Approaches to Risk Reduction (Hemisfair Ballroom 1-2)
• FDA Special Session: New Drug Approvals (Stars at Night Ballroom 3-4)
• Special Session 3: Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll (Stars at Night Ballroom 1-2)

Early-career development

The SABCS^® is dedicated to developing and supporting the future of breast cancer research, and two sessions this afternoon will provide valuable guidance for residents, fellows, and other early-career researchers. From 12 – 1:45 p.m., learn about research funding opportunities from federal, foundation, and industry sources. And from 2:30 – 4 p.m., hear practical guidance for developing clinical research protocols that put patients first.

• Career Development: Navigating the Road to Success – Early Funding for Research and Beyond (Room 221ABC)
• Career Development: Patient-Driven Protocol Development (Room 221ABC)

Workshops and educational sessions

Following the concurrent special sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to explore further topics in clinical or translational science during workshops from 2 to 3:45 p.m.

• Clinical Workshop: Dose Optimization in Breast Medical Oncology (Stars at Night 1-2)
• Translational Workshop: Cancer Immunology Discovery Approaches into Clinical Trials (Stars at Night 3-4)

And four special sessions from 4 to 5:45 p.m. will feature expert perspectives on timely topics from across the field.   

• Educational Session 1: Mind the Gap — Breast Cancer in the Young (Stars at Night 1-2)
• Educational Session 2: Liquid Biopsy: MRD, ctDNA, and Monitoring Response to Treatment (Hemisfair Ballroom 1-2)
• Educational Session 3: Tumor Heterogeneity and Evolution (Hemisfair Ballroom 3)
• Educational Session 4: Optimizing Early HER2 Positive Breast Cancer Treatment (Stars at Night 3-4)

Late-breaking abstracts

Refreshments will be served in the main lobby from 5:45 to 6:15 p.m., allowing attendees to take a quick break before late-breaking oral presentations. Six abstracts will be presented from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Stars at Night Ballroom 1-2 — view and download these and all non-embargoed abstracts in PDF form via the SABCS.org Abstracts page.