A fellow in the Breast Health Center at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island was one of 25 nationwide to earn a 2011 Breast Cancer Symposium Merit Award from The Conquer Cancer Foundation of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
The award, which recognizes researchers' contributions to progress against breast cancer, was given to Shannon MacLaughlan, MD, who is also affiliated with The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Her winning research study is entitled "Comparison of hypnotherapy versus gabapentin in the treatment of hot flashes: A pilot study."
"It is because of scientific research, like that of this year's merit awards winners, that death rates for patients with breast cancer have steadily declined over the past 20 years," said Shawna C. Willey, MD, FACS, chair of the 2011 Breast Cancer Symposium Steering Committee. "The bright minds receiving the awards this year are making great contributions to the lives of patients living with breast cancer."
Breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death in women, and it is estimated that more than 230,000 women and 2,000 this year will be diagnosed with the disease. Research conducted by the 2011 award recipients explored novel approaches to breast cancer treatments, such as Dr. MacLaughlan's hypnotherapy study, as well as an understanding of breast cancer on the molecular level.
The winners will present their research at the symposium in September.
The Conquer Cancer Foundation Merit Awards are designed to promote clinical research of oncology fellows by providing them with the opportunity to present their research findings at the Breast Cancer Symposium. Recipients are selected based on the scientific merit of submitted abstract and receive funding to help with travel and expenses to attend the symposium. The symposium itself is cosponsored by ASCO, the American Society of Breast Disease, the American Society of Breast Surgeons, the American Society of Radiation Oncology, the National Consortium of Breast Centers Inc., and the Society of Surgical Oncology.
About Women & Infants Hospital
Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, a Care New England hospital, is one of the nation's leading specialty hospitals for women and newborns. A U.S. News Best Hospital in Gynecology and Best Children's Hospital in Neonatology, Women & Infants was ranked number one in the Providence metro area and a top hospital in Cancer and Gynecology. The primary teaching affiliate of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University for obstetrics, gynecology and newborn pediatrics, as well as a number of specialized programs in women's medicine, Women & Infants is the seventh largest obstetrical service in the country with more than 8,500 deliveries per year. In 2009, Women & Infants opened the country's largest, single-family room neonatal intensive care unit.
New England's premier hospital for women and newborns, Women & Infants and Brown offer fellowship programs in gynecologic oncology, maternal-fetal medicine, urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery, neonatal-perinatal medicine, pediatric and perinatal pathology, gynecologic pathology and cytopathology, and reproductive endocrinology and infertility. It is home to the nation's only mother-baby perinatal psychiatric partial hospital, as well as the nation's only fellowship program in obstetric medicine.
Women & Infants has been designated as a Breast Center of Excellence from the American College of Radiography; a Center for In Vitro Maturation Excellence by SAGE In Vitro Fertilization; a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence by the National Institutes of Health; a Center of Excellence for Reproductive Resource Services; and a Neonatal Resource Services Center of Excellence. It is one of the largest and most prestigious research facilities in high risk and normal obstetrics, gynecology and newborn pediatrics in the nation, and is a member of the National Cancer Institute's Gynecologic Oncology Group.
About the Conquer Cancer Foundation
The Conquer Cancer Foundation is working to create a world free from the fear of cancer by funding breakthrough research, by sharing knowledge with physicians and patients worldwide, and by supporting initiatives to ensure that all people have access to high-quality cancer care. Working in close collaboration with a global network of top scientists and clinicians, as well as leading advocacy and research organizations, the Foundation draws on the passion and expertise of the more than 30,000 oncology professionals who are members of its affiliate organization, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). For more information, visit www.conquercancerfoundation.org
About the American Society of Clinical Oncology
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world's leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With more than 30,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. For ASCO information and resources, visit www.asco.org. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at www.cancer.net.