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Vicky Forster

@vickyyyf.bsky.social
1.6K followers 1.9K following 1.2K posts

Patient engagement professional, "retired" cancer research scientist, cancer survivor, science and health writer. Leafs/Toronto Sceptres fan. Hockey player in training. www.drvickyforster.com

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Reposted by Vicky Forster
Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
September is childhood cancer awareness month. In 2017, I had the privilege of visiting the childhood cancer treatment ward in Tanzania when I was there to do my TED talk. Recently, I talked with one of the clinicans there to learn about progress over the last 10yrs. cancerworld.net/from-10-to-m...
cancerworld.net
From 10% to More Than 50% Survival: Tanzania Transforms Childhood Cancer Care, But Challenges Remain | Cancerworld Magazine
Childhood cancer survival in Tanzania has risen from below 10% to over 50%, but late diagnosis remains a major barrier to curing more children.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
EXCITING.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
September is childhood cancer awareness month. In 2017, I had the privilege of visiting the childhood cancer treatment ward in Tanzania when I was there to do my TED talk. Recently, I talked with one of the clinicans there to learn about progress over the last 10yrs. cancerworld.net/from-10-to-m...
cancerworld.net
From 10% to More Than 50% Survival: Tanzania Transforms Childhood Cancer Care, But Challenges Remain | Cancerworld Magazine
Childhood cancer survival in Tanzania has risen from below 10% to over 50%, but late diagnosis remains a major barrier to curing more children.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Brilliantly written piece by my friend and colleague Megan Easton. #childhoodcancer #CCAM www.theglobeandmail.com/life/first-p...
theglobeandmail.com
Nobody wants to talk about childhood cancer, but I will
After my daughter was diagnosed just before she turned three, I made it my mission to tell everyone about it
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
WHAT?!
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
I haven't watched a game this season before this one. You are welcome, #BlueJays fans.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I for one welcome the American fighter jets not doing the airshow thingy. They are particularly loud and not nearly as impressive as the snowbirds...
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I am in support of e-bikes being able to use bike lanes for the sole reason that more of the riders will die or get injured if they can't. But I sure as hell wish they would stop running reds and almost colliding with me and my kid in a stroller on pedestrian crossings on a weekly (at least) basis.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
*Starts a support group for people trying to have meetings while airshow rehearsals are on* As my fellow meeting attendees were deafened, I was shouting "SORRY THAT ONE WAS RIGHT OVER THE HOUSE" while scrambling to close the window.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
This drizzly, thunderstormy shoulder season weather is giving me a headache. Can fall just arrive already? I am very ready for my sweaters, soup, fall colours etc etc.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Argh, this is sad to see. www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/nova...
fiercebiotech.com
UPDATED: Novartis halts autoimmune CAR-T trials after 3 deaths, as BMS also pauses studies
Three deaths have forced Novartis to pause development of its CD19 CAR-T candidate in autoimmune diseases, just as Bristol Myers Squibb has halted a similar program due to immune-related adverse ev | ...
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Reposted by Vicky Forster
C.H. Romatowski @chromatowski.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
“Research suggests that roughly 10 to 20 percent of people who get intestinal illnesses from bacteria, viruses or parasites will end up having symptoms, like diarrhea and abdominal pain, that can last for months or even years. This condition is called post-infection irritable bowel syndrome.”
nytimes.com
Foodborne Illnesses Can Lead to Long-Term Gut Issues (Gift Article)
The cyclospora outbreak may result in a surge in cases of post-infection irritable bowel syndrome.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
The recent (early) success of RAS inhibitors in pancreatic cancer has buoyed hopes that the drugs may be useful in both (relatively) common and rare types of pediatric cancers. ccr.cancer.gov/news/article...
ccr.cancer.gov
Targeted Cancer Drugs Show Promise for Children with Rare RAS-Mutated Cancers | Center for Cancer Research
Targeted cancer drugs already used in adults may also help treat childhood cancers carrying rare G12C mutations, according to new research from the NCI’s Center for Cancer Research scientists.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I actually don't personally know anyone who is truly enraged by Trump changing the U.S. name of Lake Ontario. It's just yet another irrational, childish action. All it seems to have done is remind people to support Canadian businesses and products and avoid U.S.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Lake Ontario, February 2026.
Lake Ontario in winter, Feb 2026.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Oh the FDA and CDC are going to be BUSY!
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Here is an update on #Ebola in DR #Congo. The WHO has decided to trial an Ebola vaccine used in previous outbreaks. The decision comes following new evidence showing it might provide some protection despite being engineered to target a different virus strain. www.forbes.com/sites/victor...
forbes.com
Ebola Vaccine Rollout Begins In DR Congo Amid Continuing Outbreak
The vaccine was not designed for the Bundibugyo strain causing the epidemic, but experts are hopeful that it may provide some protection while new vaccines are developed.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
I've not done a lot of news writing recently, but I've been trying to get back into it and challenge myself with fixed timelines to research, write and edit pieces. Necessary when I normally fit it in to breaks from my regular job, or do it on evenings/weekends.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Always nice when a big cancer center shares an article I wrote about their work.
MSKCC's LinkedIn post about the FDA approval of Daraxonrasib for advanced pancreatic cancer.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Moon looks cool! Neat partial eclipse.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
There is a rumour circulating that Dolly Parton died of "Turbo cancer" because she took the Moderna Covid-19 mRNA vaccine which she helped develop. I am here to tell you that "turbo cancers" do not an exist. That an 80 year old died of cancer is unfortunately, not an unusual way to die at that age
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Reposted by Vicky Forster
Shannon Proudfoot @sproudfoot.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I mean this very, very seriously: It is absolutely an option for us to ignore his idiotic Lake America stunt. We can do that. We can just tune it out like you would block out a child howling at you in the cereal aisle, recognizing that to do anything else would be to give the whiner what they want.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I urge you to channel this outrage about the renaming* of Lake Ontario into actual action to support Canadian businesses and boycott anything made in the U.S. *The U.S. can only rename it for the U.S. it isn't in charge of the global renaming of anything. Best to remember that.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Okay, this seems to be a more useful (and cool) use of AI than people making themselves into dog cartoons, or making their dogs into human cartoons. Or whatever people use it for. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/27/s...
nytimes.com
Some Scientists Have ‘Magic Hands’ in the Lab. This A.I. Is Learning Why. (Gift Article)
Even the most adept researchers may not know exactly what they do to get successful results. An A.I. model is trying to figure it out by watching every move.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/67ecdc2...
theglobeandmail.com
Ottawa taps 64 leading scientists and scholars to bolster Canadian research
The first group of Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada includes researchers from 13 countries, with most leaving institutions in the U.S.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
AI attempting rice on a recent restaurant menu flyer I received
AI generated rice which does not look like rice.
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Reposted by Vicky Forster
Emily Mullin @emilymullin.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
I'm a staff writer at @wired.com and I'm looking to speak with parents of immunocompromised kids, especially those in areas with measles outbreaks, and how you're dealing with back to school with rising cases. emily_mullin@wired.com
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Always up for writing about some GOOD SCIENCE NEWS after work: www.forbes.com/sites/victor...
forbes.com
FDA Approves New Pancreatic Cancer Drug After Stunning Trial Results
The therapy is a brand new targeted drug for the disease which experts have labelled as a substantial breakthrough following doubling of survival time in a trial.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
My bus just overtook 24 cyclists in a bike lane between stops. Yes, I counted. 24 cars in front of me instead sure would slow things down...
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Very amused by the new Canadian tariffs on *checks* ornamental fish. A terrible time for enthusiasts of the hobby.
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Reposted by Vicky Forster
Canadian History Ehx @cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Before Europeans arrived, these were some of the names for The Great Lakes: Superior: gichi-gami (great sea) Erie: erielhonan (long tail) Michigan: michigami (long body of water) Ontario: Ontarí'io\kanadario (great lake\beautiful water) Huron: karegnondi (fresh water sea)
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Unleash the geese. They will protect it.
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Reposted by Vicky Forster
Dave Itzkoff @ditzkoff.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
This is going to completely screw up the lyrics to The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
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Reposted by Vicky Forster
Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Who wants to read an article about the 25 year history of small molecule inhibitors for #cancer treatment? I've got you! Happy to share this piece I wrote for Cancer Therapy Advisor to mark 25 years since the first of these drugs, Imatinib was approved. www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/features/ima...
cancertherapyadvisor.com
The 25th Anniversary of Imatinib and the Evolution of Small Molecule Inhibitors
In 2001, imatinib was the first proof that small molecule inhibitors targeting molecular drivers of cancer could be an effective treatment.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Doug, please stop. Throwing Uranium at the United States is an act of nuclear war. Somebody please stop him talking.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
I will admit to letting a few American products creep back into my purchases after being really good about it for a long time. Mostly due to my toddler's obsession with berries. We bought Canadian where available (blueberries always)...now if not available, we'll get peaches, plums...apples.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
I am so glad our Canadian politicians are handling all of this with maturity and...oh wait. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
'Kiss my ass,' Ford tells Trump as he readies to speak in Hamilton amid Canada-U.S. trade war | CBC News
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and members of his cabinet will be holding a news conference in Hamilton Monday after Canada-U.S. trade talks failed, with the premier telling Trump to "kiss my ass" as the f...
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Who wants to read an article about the 25 year history of small molecule inhibitors for #cancer treatment? I've got you! Happy to share this piece I wrote for Cancer Therapy Advisor to mark 25 years since the first of these drugs, Imatinib was approved. www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/features/ima...
cancertherapyadvisor.com
The 25th Anniversary of Imatinib and the Evolution of Small Molecule Inhibitors
In 2001, imatinib was the first proof that small molecule inhibitors targeting molecular drivers of cancer could be an effective treatment.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
There are several reasons to buy Canadian produce at the moment. But the fact that so many U.S. products are being subject to recalls is honestly terrifying. www.axios.com/2026/08/22/f...
axios.com
Here's why the FDA hit frozen blueberries with its highest risk warning
The escalation shows how a recall can become more serious after products have already been pulled.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Some years ago I announced to whoever would listen that *if I could I would by stocks in Moderna* - not for anything to do with their Covid-19 vaccine, but for the cancer vaccine work. And apparently I should become a full time stock market speculator. Sigh.
The Moderns $MRNA stock price from the last month.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
I am resolving to use BlueSky more. I took pretty much a total break after I left *Twitter* a few years ago, but I do find myself missing the good-ole-days when Twitter was a nice place to be (mostly). Need to figure out what to talk about first...
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Wildfire alerts in the UK. Completely unprecedented. None of this is normal. And meanwhile, we have people using energy and water guzzling AI to generate versions of themselves looking like cartoons and constructing every email. A dystopian novel.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/features/men...
cancertherapyadvisor.com
Mental Health Interventions in Cancer Patients May Improve Survival, Quality of Life, Other Outcomes
Interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy can improve mental health for cancer patients and increase survival.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Every now and again when I can make time for some feature reading, I find one that just makes me go "wow". This was one of them. Incredible story and so very important.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Can someone set up some kind of app so that the predatory journal people are given the numbers of "interested academics" and they are actually the duct cleaning people?
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Reposted by Vicky Forster
André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Canadian Blood Services supply drops nearly 20% since June, well below its summer dip, prompting call for urgent blood donations. Organization says it has only limited days of several blood types now on hand. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... via @cbcnews.ca @canadaslifeline.bsky.social
cbc.ca
Canadian Blood Services supply drops nearly 20% since June, prompting call for urgent donations | CBC News
Canadian Blood Services is appealing for people across the country to donate blood, saying its supply has dropped significantly in the last several weeks.
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Reposted by Vicky Forster
Kara Fagan 🇨🇦 Liberal @fagankara.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
www.canada.ca/en/innovatio... Have your say #Canada. Get all your questions out there.
canada.ca
Government of Canada launches public consultation on AI transparency - Canada.ca
Public feedback will help shape next steps to advance safe, responsible and reliable AI in Canada
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
This guy was at the same university as me (a year or two below, I think) for undergrad doing the same subject. I remember not liking him much, I don't recall why. Seemingly I was a good judge of character! www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
NHS fraudster who lied about going to Oxford University jailed
Amran Hussain gets four years for making up experience and qualifications to secure health jobs.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Buddy made some iPSC from his cells and is so very excited about it, lol. This i something I did over a dozen times on patient samples when I was a scientist. It's pretty routine. This tech is 20 years old. He is of course grossly overselling the implications.
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Vicky Forster @vickyyyf.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Is there any part of the UK which Brexit has not royally screwed up? www.independent.co.uk/news/health/...
independent.co.uk
Brexit denies UK children access to life-extending drug for aggressive brain cancer
Exclusive: Experts say Brexit has led to delays in the launch of clinical trials and increased costs for multiple drugs. They are urging the government to reset the UK’s relationship with Europe to re...
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