Research Projects

Scholar Grant Awarded UVM Mammography Research Expert

WILLISTON,VT, July 10, 2007 – The American Cancer Society announced today that it has awarded a $213,500 scholar grant to the University of Vermont to support ongoing research aimed at improving skills for radiologists who read mammograms.

The recipient of the two-year grant is Berta Geller, Ed.D., the research project’s principal investigator and a research professor of Family Medicine at the University of Vermont College of Medicine.

Debbie Dameron, vice president for cancer control for Vermont, said the grant is made possible by contributions from thousands of women and men who have given generously to support the American Cancer Society’s ongoing research efforts.

“Mammograms are critical in the fight against breast cancer, and improving radiologists’ skills in reading mammograms is key to early detection,” Dameron said. “The American Cancer Society is pleased that such great work is being done on this front at the University of Vermont.”

“Though research data suggest that, overall, mammography achieves respectable levels of accuracy, these same data show a wide variation in interpretive skills,” said Geller. “At the extremes, this results in both significant rates of missed cancers and women being called back for additional testing, which reduces cost effectiveness, causes harm, and fails the expectations of women undergoing regular screening. We are developing better ways to measure accuracy and to provide continuing education to improve mammography interpretive skills. All Vermont radiologists who read mammograms will be invited to participate in this study.”

The funds that support the project come from the Horizon of Hope Campaign, sponsored by the Longaberger Company of Dresden, Ohio. The first year of this project was also funded by the Breast Cancer Stamp money at the National Cancer Institute.

Improving Breast Imaging Quality Standards

In 2006, Horizon of Hope funds are supporting an exciting new collaborative opportunity to carry out recommendations from a recent National Academies of Science/Institute of Medicine report to improve and ensure the quality of mammography. Through a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, Horizon of Hope funds and donations made through purchase of the U.S. breast cancer stamp will be combined to support important new studies of the most effective means to provide to women the highest quality breast cancer detection services.

Access to High-Quality Mammography Services

A parallel effort is addressing concerns about current and future shortages in personnel and mammography facilities which could threaten the ability of women to follow guidelines for regular mammography screening.

Psychosocial Issues facing Women with Breast Cancer

Horizon of Hope funds made possible a grant to the Institute of Medicine (of the National Academies) to conduct a workshop and publish a report on "Meeting Psychosocial Needs of Women with Breast Cancer." It is hoped that the recommendations from the report, based on current state-of-the-science and broad expertise, will shape further developments in health care, research, and policy.

Little is known about how consumer use electronic medical information and about how patients formulate their questions when they enter a website. In 2005, a preliminary study was conducted with colleagues at the University of Wisconsin to develop and pilot-test a computer-based algorithm (versus a menu-driven format) to facilitate delivery of targeted breast cancer information for women with breast cancer. Most participants, all of whom had been treated for breast cancer, found they could locate more information more quickly in the algorithm and noted that it was "only one click away." An extension of this study is being planned.

Biobehavioral Aspects of Recurrence

In 2003, Horizon of Hope funds were allocated to support the extension of important work by Dr. Barbara Andersen at the Ohio State University, one of the first projects funded through the Longaberger partnership. Dr. Andersen and her colleagues will measure mood and quality of life, as well as levels of stress hormones and immune responses, in women with breast cancer prior to, during, and after recurrence. In this way, they will study the link between patients' moods and feelings and their bodies' hormonal response to stress and the ability of their immune system to fight the disease. To our knowledge, no previous study has provided such data in the months/years prior to recurrence. Further, the study will provide the basis for development of a psychological intervention for women with recurrent breast cancer. A 2005 publication from the study reported that patients' stress at recurrence was "compartmentalized," focused on the cancer but not experienced as "global distress or quality of life disruption." The authors noted the resilience of patients diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer.

Quality of Life in Younger Breast Cancer Survivors

A Horizon of Hope-funded study at Indiana University will examine the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual functioning of breast cancer survivors age 45 or younger at diagnosis, and their partners, as compared to the quality of life of older breast cancer survivors and age-matched well women.

Lymphedema

Lymphedema, chronic and debilitating arm swelling, may be a side effect of breast cancer treatment. The cause of lymphedema is the destruction of the lymphatic vessels during the removal of lymph nodes under the arm or damage to them by radiation therapy to that area after surgery. Lymphedema may arise immediately after treatment or not show up for years. For some women it is a crippling condition; for all women who suffer with lymphedema, it is a painful, daily reminder of their prior diagnosis of breast cancer. Until recently, this condition had received little attention. The American Cancer Society has devoted significant attention to the occurrence and prevalence of this chronic condition in many breast cancer survivors and is credited with having made significant contributions to raising awareness about the importance of surveillance, therapy, and research.

Horizon of Hope-supported activities in this crucial area for many women who have survived breast cancer have included an international conference, a series of publications for health professionals and breast cancer patients and survivors, and support of a new certification program to promote quality standards among therapists providing lymphedema treatment services.

Lymphedema Research Grants

In 2004-05, grants were made to support research on ways of reducing the burden of lymphedema among women who have been treated for breast cancer. One study will document the costs and treatment patterns of breast cancer-related lymphedema. The second will use an animal model, which reproduces breast cancer treatment-related limb lymphedema after surgery and radiation therapy, to test how current and new treatments and potential prevention strategies work and what risk factors precipitate or worsen lymphedema. A second lymphedema Request for Applications was issued in 2005, and peer review of new grant requests is scheduled to take place in January 2006.

The Value of Mammographic Screening

Support has been provided for a series of studies by an international team of researchers examining data from a breast cancer screening trial and population screening programs in Sweden. A substantial contribution of high-quality mammographic screening to reduction in deaths from breast cancer has been consistently demonstrated, and the weight of this evidence has re-affirmed the value and importance of high-quality mammography in saving lives at a time of new challenges. The work has also identified particular mammographic findings that predict prognosis for breast cancer patients, offering the potential for tailoring treatment for those at greatest risk and thus sparing some women more aggressive therapies.

A current project is measuring the contributions of mammographic screening based on data from screening in seven Swedish counties. A study of deaths from breast cancer among women enrolled in the Screening Mammography Program of British Columbia will further refine the identification of mammographic features that predict poor prognosis. An analysis of the Swedish data looking at the contribution of mammography screening in reducing deaths from breast cancer in older women is also planned.

Two OSU Researchers to Receive ACS 'Hero of Hope' Awards

September 20, 2004 – Two individuals dedicated to the fight against cancer will be honored for their accomplishments during the American Cancer Society's Hero of Hope Awards Ceremony on October 16.

Stephen F. Sener, M.D., incoming national president of the American Cancer Society, will present the John Peter Minton, M.D., Ph.D., Hero of Hope awards to Michael Caligiuri, M.D., an internationally recognized expert in the fields of immunology, leukemia and lymphoma, and Barbara Andersen, Ph.D., a leader in and major contributor to the field of psychosocial cancer research.

The ceremony, which will be presented as part of the Society's annual meeting weekend, is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Columbus Convention Center.

The Hero of Hope awards are given in memory of the late Dr. John Peter Minton, a former Ohio State physician, professor and world-renowned cancer researcher.

"Research always has been an essential element of the American Cancer Society's mission," said Don McClure, MSA, the Society's Ohio Division chief executive officer. "These awards recognize the individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancements of cancer research and cancer care in Ohio."

Michael Caligiuri, M.D. is the recipient of the John Peter Minton, M.D., Hero of Hope Research Champion Medal of Honor, which recognizes outstanding contributions made by an individual in championing the cause of cancer research.

Since July 2003, Caligiuri has been the director of The Ohio State University's Comprehensive Cancer Center. In addition, he is deputy director of the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, director of the Division of Hematology/Oncology, a professor of internal medicine, the holder of the John L. Marakas Nationwide Insurance Enterprise Foundation Chair in Cancer Research and a Cancer Genetics Scholar.

His laboratory, with nearly 40 members, has a focus on leukemia, lymphoma and the immune system. Patients whose immune system is depressed from organ transplants have a much higher incidence of certain cancers. Caligiuri's group has developed curable therapies for such patients and has made genetic discoveries in leukemia that can predict how well a patient will respond to therapy. Now, Caligiuri is focused on developing a vaccine to prevent lymphoma in organ transplant patients, and targeting the genetic defects in leukemia and lymphoma for curative therapies.

In addition, Caligiuri recently received funding to initiate a comprehensive program for the prevention, detection and therapy of lung cancer throughout the state of Ohio, with special emphasis on the poor of Ohio's Appalachia region.

During his professional career that spans 15 years, Caligiuri has trained more than 80 students in the field of cancer research. Caligiuri has designed and conducted more than 20 clinical studies for leukemia and lymphoma patients and has more than 250 original publications, abstracts and review articles on immunology or leukemia. He has received numerous awards for his work and currently receives more than $20 million in federal and state funding.

Barbara Andersen, Ph.D. is the recipient of the John Peter Minton, M.D., Hero of Hope Research Medal of Honor for her pioneering work, distinguished contribution and leadership role in establishing research programs that improve our understanding on biobehavioral aspects in cancer patients.

Andersen, a Professor of Psychology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, was one of the first psychologists to study how women adjust to gynecologic cancer. She has spearheaded research on issues concerning cancer and sexual functioning. This includes both fertility and sexuality problems facing women following cancer treatments. As a result, these long-ignored issues in women are now beginning to receive attention.

Currently, Andersen is the leader of the Stress and Immunity Breast Cancer Project, funded by the American Cancer Society through donations from the Longaberger Company. The project's focus is on quality of life challenges in breast cancer patients suffering from recurrence. Her groundbreaking work shows that reducing stress significantly strengthens the functioning of the body's immune system and improves the quality of life of cancer patients.

Andersen has authored more than 120 scholarly articles and books. She has given dozens of invited plenary lectures and addresses at national and international meetings, and has presented more than 250 papers and posters at professional meetings. In 1995, Andersen was one of 50 women invited to the White House to attend a briefing on the Clinton Administration's initiatives in science and technology.

Andersen has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, honors and special recognitions. In addition, she has served on a variety of national program review groups and grant review panels. This includes serving as a member and Chair of the American Cancer Society's Peer Review Committee on Psychosocial and Behavioral Research.

For more information about the Hero of Hope Awards Ceremony, please call the American Cancer Society at 1.888.ACS.OHIO. Interviews with individual award recipients or speakers may be arranged by calling Sheri Richardson at 614-324-5326.