BY Lana Draper
DBJ Contributing Writer

In 1973, when Greenville native Dr. Robert Elliott founded the Elliott Mastology Center in Baton Rouge, LA, (now called the Elliott-Hailey-Head Breast Cancer Research and Treatment Center), his dream was to create the finest place in the world for breast health care. His unique approach to breast health has been to provide comprehensive, all-inclusive care, from routine breast exams and early detection with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and procedures, to in-depth scientific research and the development of innovative treatments for breast disease, all under one roof. It is Dr. Elliott’s longterm commitment to breast cancer research that has now attracted the attention of one of the world’s most prestigious breast cancer research centers, the Norwegian Radium Hospital.
In October of this year, the Elliott-Hailey-Head Breast Cancer Research and Treatment Center (and its Breast and Prostate Foundations) signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in cancer vaccine research with the Norwegian Radium Hospital, the largest cancer treatment and research facility in all of northern Europe. They will share their already accumulated research data, and collaborate closely in the development of new cancer treatments.
According to Dr. Elliott, “Norway is farther ahead with regard to the concept of immunotherapy of cancer. I was impressed with the advanced nature of their research and I am extremely excited about being a part of the Norwegian program.”
Dr. Elliott and Dr. Jonathan Head, Director of Research at the Elliott-Hailey-Head Center, are the co-developers and patent holders of the first patented autogenous breast cancer vaccine in the United States.
On a recent trip to Norway, Dr. Elliott presented his groundbreaking research to many of the top cancer researchers in Scandinavia. Of Dr. Elliott’s work, Dr. Gustav Gaudenack of the Norwegian Radium Hospital (NRH) said that it represented “exciting results and a novel approach to breast cancer vaccines.” The NRH now hopes to advance its long-standing interest in breast cancer vaccines through collaboration with Dr. Elliott. There is also the possibility of running clinical trials of vaccines developed in Norway, thus paving the way for cancer victims in Louisiana and a the southern United States to have access to cutting-edge cancer treatments from Europe.
Dr. Elliott and Dr. Head have already been recognized for their revolutionary breast cancer vaccine treatments. This therapy is based on the theory that all people have cancer cells present in their bodies on a daily basis, but the human immune system is able to prevent these cells from developing into malignant tumors. It is when the immune system is unable to fight these cells on its own that cancers develop. Cancer vaccine treatment works by aiding the patient’s own immune system in fighting the cancer. Vaccine therapy helps to avoid the negative side effects of chemotherapy, and is the next generation of anti-cancer therapy. Dr. Elliott has already been granted two United States Patents for his work on personalized cancer vaccines and innovative chemotherapy.
Dr. Robert Elliott is a graduate of Delta State University, and the University of Mississippi Medical School. He has devoted his life to the treatment and research of breast cancer. More information about the Elliott-Hailey-Head Breast Cancer Research and Treatment Center can be found at www.breastoncology.com. DBJ