Colletta Brabham-Orr
Award Winning Research Scientist and Author
Colletta Brabham-Orr is a cancer research scientist, author, and health advocate on a mission to change the way women understand breast and ovarian cancer. With deep personal roots in this work having lost both her maternal grandmother and great-grandmother to these diseases, she brings both scientific expertise and heartfelt advocacy to every initiative.
Her book, Cancer Doesn’t Always Win: A Comprehensive Guide to Beating Breast & Ovarian Cancer, offers a powerful roadmap for early detection, prevention, and survivorship. It reflects her commitment to making complex medical information accessible and actionable for women from all walks of life.
Colletta began her journey in biology at Voorhees College, then advanced to cancer research at Georgetown University School of Medicine, where she studied the genetic underpinnings of breast cancer in the Molecular Genetics Epidemiology Lab. Her work explored how lifestyle and environmental factors may contribute to tumor development through genetic damage.
She continued her research at the National Cancer Institute, where she focused on ovarian cancer, studying how certain compounds affect cancer cell behavior. Her findings have been shared at scientific conferences across the country.
Today, Colletta applies her expertise as a Scientific Report Writer at Merck Millipore Sigma in Rockville, Maryland. Whether she’s writing, speaking, or leading community initiatives, she’s driven by one purpose: to equip women with the knowledge they need to take charge of their health and their future.
My Future Goal
My goal as an Executive Vice-President within a pharmaceutical or biotech company is to shape and amplify messaging that heightens awareness and fosters a deeper understanding of the company’s scientific contributions to global health. I also will tighten the alignment between the business and Corporate Affairs priorities to help ensure value creation and delivery to global stakeholders. I would like to further develop as a communications strategist and catalyst, committed to developing and implementing transformative internal and external communications strategies that illustrate and elevate stories and narratives about business, health, financial and social topics.
What’s important to me in leadership is a strong sense of positivity, empathy, creativity, accountability, transparency, urgency and value delivery. As the external landscape continues to evolve and global health becomes more dynamic and complex, I look forward to enhancing the trust, partnership and engaging with all stakeholders as I continue to help deliver life-changing and life-saving medicines and solutions to people everywhere.
One in eight women will develop breast cancer, and one in sixty-seven will develop ovarian cancer. These statistics serve as a reminder of the many mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and friends who have endured the words "You have cancer."
Colletta Orr knows firsthand the devastating effects of breast and ovarian cancers, having lost a grandmother and great-grandmother to both. Armed with years of research and the desire to understand and fight the cancers that devastated her family, Orr seeks to educate others about ways to prevent and overcome both diseases. Cancer Doesn't Always Win: A Comprehensive Guide to Beating Breast & Ovarian Cancer instructs readers on the causes and symptoms of both breast and ovarian cancers while providing valuable information on:
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The link between both cancers
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Risk factors for both cancers
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Advice for dealing with a diagnosis and the subsequent treatment
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Tips for living a healthy lifestyle that lowers your cancer risk
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Stories of survival from women who have lived through breast and ovarian cancers
This book will empower you to take control of your health and your life. It is a must-read for anyone affected by breast or ovarian cancer, either as a survivor or a friend of one, and anyone looking for practical and tangible ways to live cancer-free.
At Colletta Orr & Associates, our mission is to provide trusted breast and ovarian cancer prevention and survivorship resources through education, support groups, and community workshops.
We are committed to educating, empowering, and supporting individuals and families affected by these diseases, especially women who are often overlooked or underserved. Our goal is to ensure every woman has the knowledge, confidence, and tools to advocate for herself, ask the right questions, and take action early.
We believe it’s time to normalize conversations about breast and ovarian health because awareness leads to early detection, and early detection saves lives.
Annual Events
The Pink & Teal Experience
Pink & Teal Experience where guest speaker will speak candidly and compassionately and breast and ovarian cancers and the impact it has had on their lives. This event will give everyone the knowledge that is so very necessary to reduce the risk of developing these diseases and that it also will empower us with the strength needed to go through this journey. Our panel of speakers will include survivors, healthcare professionals and research scientists. Cancer affects each person in a unique way, but this yearly gathering guarantees that all attendees depart feeling motivated and optimistic, as "Cancer Doesn't Always Win!"
The Pink Brunch
In addition to sporting pink at this event, we’ll be celebrating breast cancer fighters and survivors. Join Breast Cancer Survivors, Caregivers and Friends for a delicious brunch and celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Mix and mingle, make new friends, share stories and experiences.
Cupcakes & Conversations
A conversation about breast & ovarian cancer and the correlation between them.
Get in Touch
Have a question or just want to say hello? I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to drop me a message, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.
