Feature Channels: Women's Health

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Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center today announced that Dr. Nancy E. Davidson, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, has accepted the position of executive director of clinical oncology for the Fred Hutch / University of Washington Cancer Consortium, one of 47 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers nationwide. Her appointment will become effective Dec. 1.

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Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism in a combination drug therapy that shows potential as a new approach for treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and many other cancers. When combined, these agents cause interactions that significantly disrupt cancer cells’ ability to survive DNA damage, according to a preclinical study published today in the journal Cancer Cell.

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In a randomized, Phase III trial led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, ribociclib, in combination with the aromatase inhibitor letrozole, dramatically improved progression-free survival (PFS) of post-menopausal women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer, compared to the hormone therapy alone.

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Susan G. Komen® awarded Lisa A. Newman, M.D., director of the Breast Cancer Center at Henry Ford Health System, with more than $600,000 in new funding for breast cancer genetics research.

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New research has found that working night shifts has little or no effect on a woman's breast cancer risk despite a review in 2007 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifying shift work disrupting the 'body clock' as a probable cause of cancer.

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RTI International will continue supporting research efforts to improve clinical care for women with pelvic floor disorders as part of the Pelvic Floor Disorders Network.

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Patients using Botox A for urinary incontinence show higher satisfaction with treatment due to greater reduction in bothersome symptoms.

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Women may have better verbal memory skills than men even when their brains show the same level of problems metabolizing glucose, which occurs in people with Alzheimer’s disease, according to research published in the October 5, 2016, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

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After her own experience surviving breast cancer, philanthropist Beatrice Welters wanted to “pay it forward” -- and help educate other women about breast cancer and the importance of early detection. And she is doing just that -- through a new program at NYU Langone -- the Beatrice W. Welters Breast Health Outreach and Navigation Program.

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For years, scientists have studied how stem cells might be used to treat many diseases, including osteoporosis. One consistent challenge has been observing and monitoring the process through which stem cells transform. Now, using an established scientific method, University of Missouri researchers are able to watch how human fat cells transform into bone tissue cells; in the process the research team has uncovered information about osteoporosis in older women.

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All 13 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with BRCA mutations had their tumors shrink significantly when treated with a PARP inhibitor ahead of frontline presurgical chemotherapy in a pilot study at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

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NYU Lutheran Medical Center continues to advance cancer care in Brooklyn—and a talented new breast surgeon, Janet Yeh, MD, is helping to lead the way.

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A head-to-head comparison of sacral neuromodulation and botulinum toxin led by a Duke Health researcher shows that Botox provides more daily relief for women suffering from urge incontinence, but might also be associated with more adverse events.

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The Turquoise Trail Harley Owner’s Group will end its second annual “Pink Your Ride — Motorcyclists Increasing Awareness (MIA)” ride at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. The Turquoise Trail Chapter chose to join the Pennsylvania Chapter ride because of the widespread impact breast cancer has in New Mexico and in the United States. They hope to encourage others to join the ride here and elsewhere in the country.

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In a study appearing in the October 4 issue of JAMA, Cindy L. Amundsen, M.D., of Duke University, Durham, N.C., and colleagues assessed whether injection of onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox A) is superior to sacral neuromodulation (use of an implanted electrode for bladder control) in controlling episodes of refractory urgency urinary incontinence in women.

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In the fall of 2010, some female public middle school students began wearing the Keep a Breast Foundation’s “I ♥ Boobies” wristbands and distributing them to classmates to raise awareness, show support, and open a dialogue about breast cancer. School administrators banned the wristbands, deeming them sexually provocative and inappropriate. When the students were suspended and barred from attending an upcoming school dance for refusing to comply, they sought a court injunction against the ban and their exclusion from the school dance. The district court ruled in their favor, and the Third Circuit Court later upheld the decision.

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Almost 8% of women have extremely high breast density, which can make it harder for health professionals to detect breast cancer on a screening mammogram. These women are also more likely to develop breast cancer in the future.

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SEATTLE – (Sept. 20, 2016) – Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) has opened a new Prostate Cancer Genetics Clinic at their South Lake Union campus in Seattle. The specialty clinic will serve patients with prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate (metastatic) and/or who have a family history of the disease or a family history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, lymphoma or leukemia. These men are more likely to have an inherited and more aggressive form of prostate cancer. Knowing a patient has a particular genetic mutation helps doctors choose the best treatment plan and can open doors for innovative clinical trials.

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If Congress does not act, millions of women may lose insurance coverage for annual mammograms. Patient groups, minority health care advocates and breast cancer experts urge Congress to extend a federal mandate that effectively requires insurers to fully cover annual screening mammograms.