Gayle Brinkenhoff Women's Cancers Symposium
We are thrilled to share the date for the 2026
Annual Gayle Brinkenhoff Women's Cancer Symposium
October 22, 2026
The Gayle Brinkenhoff Breast Cancer Symposium is not just a meeting — it is a driving force in breast cancer research and care. This year, we go bigger, bolder, and more ambitious with the theme: Cancer Genetics and DNA Repair. As one of the most urgent challenges in breast cancer biology, metastasis is where the future of discovery and treatment must move faster—and this symposium is where that future takes shape.
2026 Theme:
Cancer Genetics and DNA Repair
This year's symposium turns its focus to the molecular foundations of cancer, examining how inherited and acquired genetic changes shape cancer risk and behavior, and how the body's own DNA repair machinery can be harnessed or targeted to improve prevention, diagnosis, and therapy across women's cancers. From hereditary cancer syndromes and germline testing to cutting-edge repair pathway inhibition, our speakers will present findings that are reshaping how we understand and treat these diseases at the genomic level.
Guest Speakers
Hear directly from leading voices in women's cancers cancer biology, translational science and clinical care. Our speaker lineup brings together trailblazers at the forefront of discovery, presenting the newest data, innovations, and perspectives that are shifting paradigms and setting the stage for the next generation of breakthroughs.
- Sharon Cantor, PhD University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
- Elizabeth Christie, PhD Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, AU
- Susan Domchek, MD University of Pennsylvania -Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
- Gaorav Gupta, MD, PhD University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC Susan Neuhausen, PhD City of Hope, Duarte, CA
- Funmi Olopade, MD University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Jeff Perry, PhD City of Hope, Duarte, CA
- Jeremy Stark, PhD City of Hope, Duarte, CA
- John Tainer, PhD MD University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
What to expect
- Plenary sessions and keynote presentations from top researchers and clinicians
- Poster session showcasing emerging science from established and early-career investigators
- Networking opportunities with a diverse community of scientists, clinicians, and advocates
- Hybrid attendance, join in person or via Zoom
About the Symposium
Founded in 2014 by Dr. Linda Malkas in honor of Gayle Brinkenhoff, this symposium has grown from an intimate gathering into one of the premier women's cancer research events on the West Coast. Gayle's legacy, and the enduring support of the Brinkenhoff family through RevitaLash Cosmetics/Athena Cosmetics - continues to make this gathering possible year after year. The symposium's scope now encompasses all women's cancers, reflecting the breadth of scientific inquiry and the commitment to improving outcomes for all women affected by cancer. The symposium is led by Dr. Malkas alongside co-organizer Dr. Mark LaBarge, whose hands-on involvement in curating the scientific program and assembling each year's speaker lineup has been instrumental in shaping the event's growing reputation. Now in its third year of co-leadership, their collaboration reflects a shared commitment to bringing the most current and impactful science to this gathering. The symposium's expanded scope, now covering all women's cancers, reflects both the evolution of the science and a dedication to improving outcomes for every woman affected by these diseases.
Founding and Presenting Sponsor
RevitaLash Cosmetics was born from an act of love. In 2006, ophthalmologist Dr. Michael Brinkenhoff created the original lash conditioning serum for his wife, Gayle, who was waging a courageous battle against metastatic breast cancer, a disease she had been living with since her diagnosis at age 32. The formula helped restore her lashes and her confidence, and Gayle herself gave the product its name: RevitaLash. Together, the Brinkenhoffs brought the serum to the world, and a brand was born. Gayle passed away after more than a decade of fighting, but her spirit and her belief in giving back have never left the company she co-founded. A commitment to funding cancer research and education is woven into the brand's identity year-round through its Eternally Pink initiative.
As the symposium's founding and presenting sponsor since 2014, RevitaLash Cosmetics and Athena Cosmetics have made this gathering possible year after year, sustaining a legacy that is as personal as it is purposeful. We are profoundly grateful for their continued partnership and their unwavering dedication to Gayle's memory.
RSVP
Now in its 11th year, this symposium has grown into one of Southern California's most anticipated gatherings at the intersection of science and patient care. This year's theme — Cancer Genetics and DNA Repair — brings into focus the molecular forces that define cancer's behavior and the pathways that hold the most promise for intervention.
Hear directly from nine world-class scientists and clinicians presenting their latest findings in hereditary cancer risk, genomic instability, and DNA repair biology. Whether you're driving research, shaping clinical protocols, or exploring opportunities for collaboration, this is where those conversations begin.
Join us for a full day of lectures and discussion, a catered networking lunch, and a cocktail reception — all designed to connect a community serious about making a difference in women's cancers.
Registration coming soon!
We invite researchers and clinicians to Submit Poster/Abstracts for the 11th Annual Gayle Brinkenhoff Women's Cancers Symposium
This event brings together leading experts to advance research and innovation in women's cancers. Share your work with a dynamic scientific community. Deadline October 13, 2026.
11th Annual Gayle Brinkenhoff Women's Cancers Symposium — Poster Abstract Submission – Fill out form