Breast Cancer PEP (BC-PEP) was co-created by Drs. Gabriela Ilie and Rob Rutledge, expanding from the CancerPEP and PC-PEP programs they developed together. Their evidence-based PEP programs for cancer and chronic disease have helped thousands of patients worldwide improve mental health, physical resilience, and overall quality of life—starting from the day of diagnosis.

With more than 50 years of combined expertise, award-winning innovation, and a shared passion for compassionate care, Gabriela and Rob are dedicated to empowering people affected by cancer through science, daily practice, and community connection.

---

Gabriela’s Story

She is the national scientific lead for multiple digital survivorship programs, including PC-PEP, CancerPEP, and now Breast Cancer PEP. Gabriela’s path to cancer survivorship research is as diverse as it is inspiring. Born in Romania, she began her career in media—first as a teen radio host, then as a national television news presenter by age 19. After working for the European Commission in Belgium, she immigrated to Canada at 23, excelling in telecommunications before turning to academia.

She completed her undergraduate degree and PhD in psychology at the University of Toronto in an unprecedented four years, studying the effects of music on emotion. Over 16 years, she taught more than 90 courses to over 25,000 studentsand was twice nominated for TVO Lecturer of the Year. Her early research produced influential publications on concussions and adolescent brain health.

---

A Turning Point: The Birth of PC-PEP

In 2016, Gabriela moved to Halifax to address the overlooked quality-of-life challenges facing prostate cancer survivors. On her first day, she attended a local support group and met the men who would become her first Research Citizens—patients who co-design, test, and shape her programs to this day.

Her subsequent quality-of-life research revealed that survivors of prostate cancer experience twice the rates of depression and anxiety compared to men without cancer. Together with Rob and a multidisciplinary team, she co-designed the Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP)—a six-month structured digital program delivering daily practices in mental health, physical activity, pelvic health, nutrition, self-compassion, partner communication, and empowerment.

---

Research Impact & Awards

Gabriela’s work has received national and international recognition, including:

• Public Impact Award (2024)
• CAPO Innovation Award (2025) – jointly with Dr. Rutledge
• Multiple national research grants supporting digital survivorship programs
• Creator of Empower, an award-winning documentary that received Best Documentary at the Mosaic International Film Festival (2025)

PC-PEP has been tested in clinical trials and shown to improve mental health, pelvic function, adherence, and overall wellbeing at 6 and 12 months. The program is now expanding across Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Europe, and several rural and underserved regions.

With this foundation, Gabriela co-created CancerPEP, offering daily empowerment tools to people with any type of cancer or chronic illness, and is now leading the development of Breast Cancer PEP, tailor-made for the physical, emotional, and functional needs of breast cancer patients—including prehabilitation and post-operative arm physiotherapy.

“Every step of my life prepared me for this work. To help create programs with Rob that truly change lives is one of the greatest privileges of my career.”

---

Rob’s Story

Raised in northern Canada, Rob studied medicine at the University of Toronto and completed his oncology residency in Ottawa. Early in his career, he became fascinated by the resilience of certain cancer survivors—those who lived with remarkable vitality despite difficult diagnoses. Understanding what made these survivors so strong became the foundation of his life’s work.

---

A Career Devoted to Empowering Patients

Throughout his career, Rob has:

• Delivered hundreds of free public talks, webinars, and educational sessions
• Led more than 60 weekend healing retreats in over 30 cities across North America
• Founded a charity dedicated to providing emotional, psychological, and educational support to people affected by cancer
• Become a national advocate for lifestyle medicine, stress reduction, mindfulness, and evidence-based survivorship practices
• Co-created PC-PEP and CancerPEP, which now reach patients internationally
• Received the CAPO Innovation Award (2025) with Dr. Ilie for their groundbreaking survivorship work

Rob is widely recognized for integrating the science of oncology with the human dimensions of healing—emotional resilience, spiritual wellbeing, connection, and meaning.

“Working with Gabriela has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career. Our combined strengths allow us to create programs that truly change lives. Hearing from patients who say their lives are better because of the program—that is what keeps me going.”

---

Our Vision for Breast Cancer PEP

Breast Cancer PEP (BC-PEP) brings together:

• The latest science in psychology, oncology, rehabilitation, and lifestyle medicine
• Daily practices that support mental wellbeing, physical resilience, arm mobility, and emotional healing
• A strong focus on prehabilitation and post-surgery physiotherapy
• Community, connection, and a sense of belonging
• Empowerment from the day of diagnosis through recovery and beyond

We believe:

• No one should navigate cancer alone
• Emotional and physical prehabilitation matter
• Empowerment improves outcomes
• Community transforms the cancer journey

Whether you are newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, or recovering afterward, BC-PEP is here to walk with you—every day—with science-based, compassionate guidance designed to help you heal, strengthen, and thrive.