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Komen Grant Supports Study of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
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Heather Machado, Ph.D., assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, hopes her research will help to identify which DCIS patients will progress to invasive breast cancer and which do not require treatment.
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Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the most common type of non-invasive breast cancer, accounting for up to 30% of all diagnosed cases. Although DCIS is classified as cancer, it remains confined to the milk ducts of the breast and is considered stage 0. DCIS can be detected by mammography, but cannot be detected by a self-breast exam.
Although it is considered to be a precursor to invasive cancer (stages 1-4), it is estimated that up to 75% of DCIS patients left untreated will never progress to invasive disease. Despite this, the current standard of care for all DCIS patients is mastectomy or lumpectomy with or without radiation therapy, impacting more than 70,000 women per year in the U.S. and 1.3 million over the past 30 years, leaving many to cope with harsh physical side effects, emotional scars, and diminished quality of life.
"Some oncologists want to change the name of this disease to remove the word 'carcinoma,' which means cancer, since most DCIS patients do not need treatment at all," said Heather Machado, Ph.D., principal investigator on a three-year, $360,000 Susan G. Komen Foundation grant to study DCIS progression.
Unfortunately, there are no ways to predict if a patient with DCIS is at risk for developing invasive cancer. Dr. Machado's research aims to 1) identify biomarkers that may help predict which DCIS patients will develop invasive cancer, as well as 2) develop treatments that will “nip it in the bud” before the cancer cells acquire the ability to invade surrounding tissues. "As DCIS clearly does not fall into a one-size-fits-all approach, developing individualized patient care should be a priority," said Machado.
Specifically, she will study whether a particular molecular pathway already shown to predict prognosis in other cancers predicts the ability of DCIS to form invasive tumors and whether blocking this pathway inhibits cancer cell invasion, improving patient outcomes. "As inhibitors to this pathway are already in clinical trials, there is significant potential to lead to a reduction in breast cancer incidence within the next decade," said Machado. "We believe that the results of these studies could have significant clinical impact and may possibly change the way DCIS is currently managed, impacting tens of thousands of patients each year."
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“We believe that the results of these studies could have significant clinical impact and may possibly change the way DCIS is currently managed, impacting tens of thousands of patients each year.”
Heather Machado, Ph.D.
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One Man Can Make a Difference:
6th Annual One Man Shoot Takes Aim at Prostate Cancer
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Members of the One Man Shoot Planning Committee present the leadership of the Tulane Cancer Center with a check following a previous year's event.
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Despite being postponed by last year's devastating floods across the state, the Sixth Annual
One Man Shoot Sporting Clays Fundraiser (OMS) will take place on Friday, March 24, at Riverside Sporting Clays in Denham Springs, Louisiana.
The event raises funds for
Dr. Oliver Sartor's Prostate Cancer Research Program. Held in memory of Connie Mack Boykin, one of Dr. Sartor's patients who founded the event along with a host of family and friends, OMS is poised this year to surpass $1 million in cumulative funds raised!
“By organizing fundraisers around activities that men enjoy, we have the potential to support research while increasing awareness about the importance of early detection, and that’s how we’ll make a difference, one man at a time,” said Michael Boykin, Connie Mack's brother.
In addition to sporting clays, participants will enjoy entertainment, food and beverages, live and silent auctions and an awards ceremony. For those not participating in the competition, a $25 guest ticket includes lunch, as well as access to the auctions, entertainment, door prizes and drawings.
Complimentary PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood tests will be offered once again this year. The test measures the level of PSA in the blood. It is normal for men to have low levels; however, prostate cancer or benign (non-cancerous) conditions can increase PSA levels.
Participants will be notified of their results via telephone and letter, and those requiring follow-up will be directed to see their personal physicians or they can make an appointment to see a Tulane physician.
"Prostate cancer has taken far too great a toll on families across Louisiana and well beyond – our fathers, brothers, sons and friends," said Dr. Sartor. "But each year as I stand on the porch at Riverside Sporting Clays and look out at the tremendous, caring folks who support the One Man Shoot, my resolve is strengthened! I am truly humbled by their support and their commitment to the research that will lead to a cure."
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2017 Gunning for a Cure Fundraiser
Exceeds $500,000 Goal!
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Gunning for a Cure Planning Committee members proudly reveal their milestone.
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The 2017
Gunning for a Cure Sporting Clays Fundraiser was a huge success, thanks to the planning committee members, donors and volunteers! This year's event brought the group's cumulative total raised for Tulane's Prostate Cancer Research Fund to over $500,000! Our deepest thanks to the Perez family and friends and to all who supported this incredibly meaningful day!
Mark your calendars now for the
5th Annual Gunning for a Cure event, scheduled for Saturday, February 24, 2018. For more information, call 504-919-7474 or visit
www.gunningforacure.com.
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