Sharing the WISDOM: An Oncologist, a Geneticist and an Epidemiologist walk into a bar...

Pictured from Left to right: Dr. Lisa Madlensky, Dr. Barbara Parker & Dr. Andrea LaCroix; key note speakers 

There isn’t actually a punch line here.  Early detection and accurate treatment for breast cancer is certainly more a relief than a joking matter.  We did, however, get together to learn about the latest advances in breast cancer screening, prevention and treatment.

Because women's health starts with research! 

In support of the WISDOM (Women Informed to Screen Depending OMeasures of risk) trial, The Doris A. Howell Foundation celebrated its Health and Happiness Series in June with the presentation “Improving Benefits and Reducing Harms from Breast Cancer Screening: The WISDOM Trial,” hosting three renowned specialists in the areas of oncology, epidemiology and genetic testing. 

The objective was to inform the San Diego community about the latest research being conducted regarding breast cancer screening guidelines, their efficacy, and the steps required to provide women with accurate, personalized prevention processes that effectively diagnose and treat breast cancer ON AN INDIVIDUALIZED basis.

Presented by Andrea Z. LaCroix, PhD, Professor and Chief of Epidemiology and Director of the Women's Health Center of Excellence; Lisa Madlensky, PhD, Director of the Family Cancer Genetics Program at Moore’s Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health; and Barbara A. Parker, MD, Breast Medical Oncologist and Senior Deputy Director of Cancer Medicine at UC San Diego Health's Moore’s Cancer Center, the event focused on informing the audience about current breast screening technologies, and the research currently being conducted to establish the guidelines based on personal history and genetics.

While Dr. Parker kicked off the evening presenting the overall status of breast cancer in the country and introduced the concept of precision medicine, Dr. LaCroix focused on the controversy of the effectiveness of breast cancer screening.  Dr. Madlensky finished the evening with great information regarding genetic testing for the study.

For Dr. Parker's presentation, click here.
For Dr. LaCroix's presentation, click here.
For Dr. Madlensky's presentation, click here.

The notion is quite simple:  to end the confusion about breast cancer screening methods and help women get the preventive care they REALLY need – rather than facing the uncertainties of misdiagnosis, unnecessary surgery, treatment, medication and cost.   Just because all boobs are not created equal.

Will you help us make history? 

In perhaps what is the most important study concerning breast cancer screening in California, the initiative counts on 5 University of California cancer centers, and 13 Midwest hospitals with 100+ providers and researchers in multidisciplinary fields. The WISDOM Trial is the largest initiative in the Network.

To sign up and help make history visit www.wisdomstudy.org, or contact Vedeline Torreon for additional information.


Dr. Carole Banka & Anseth RIchrds,
President and Co-Founder of CHEERS
Co-sponsored by the National CHEERS Foundation, Anseth Richards notes that the organization’s mission is to raise funds to support medical research and health institutions, health advocacy groups and outreach programs;  and is proud to work with the Doris A. Howell Foundation to promote women’s health education in San Diego County.  We are grateful for such a generous donation!


Last but not least thank you to all for your support!  Again, summaries of the presentations are on the links above.


                                                                                                  ###

About the Doris A. Howell Foundation:

For the past 23 years, The Doris A. Howell Foundation for Women’s Health Research has been dedicated to keeping to women we love healthy by making a long-term, positive impact on women’s health.  To date, it is the premier organization advancing women’s health.

The organization does so by funding scholarships to students researching issues affecting women’s health; providing a forum for medical experts, scientists, doctors, and researchers to convey timely information on topics relevant to women’s health, and by funding research initiatives that improve the health of under-served women and increase awareness and advocacy in the community; bringing women's health research to a full cycle.                                                                                                                                                                                                              ###


Summary & Design prepared by Carolyn Northrup and revised by Carole Banka, PHD with information provided by the key note speakers. 


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Information you won’t want to miss: Is the cure for Parkinson’s Disease right around the corner? Part 1 of 4.

On Science and Tattoo’s: One that you might DEFINITELY want to get!

Giving Tuesday is just a week away. Let's make the world a better place!