Breast and Uterine Cancer in the News

MSK experts in breast and gynecological cancers were recently featured in the media.

Photos of Dr. Maxine Jochelson and Dr. Ginger Gardner.
Dr. Maxine Jochelson (left, photo by Richard DeWitt) and Dr. Ginger Gardner (right, photo by Karsten Moran).

Verywell Health spoke to Dr. Maxine Jochelson for an article on breast cancer screening best practices. A recent study used epidemiological data broken down by race and ethnicity to conclude that different populations should start screening for breast cancer at varying ages. Dr. Jochelson said that the potential for false positives is not a reason not to get screened, and that women should work with their healthcare providers to determine the screening schedule that is right for them.

The New York Times featured Dr. Ginger Gardner in an article about uterine cancer. While US uterine cancer rates remain low they are rising, especially among Black and Hispanic populations. Dr. Gardner said that family history and health conditions like diabetes and hypertension increase a person’s risk for the disease. Patients should pay attention to symptoms, including unexpected vaginal bleeding or spotting, and get examined if symptoms are present.

Learn more about MSK’s Female Sexual Medicine & Women’s Health Program.

Clinical Trial Makes Way for New Endometrial Cancer Treatment Regimen

Dr. Carol Aghajanian. Photo by Ethan Kavet

Photo of Dr. Carol Aghajanian

MSK is changing the way endometrial cancer is treated.

Dr. Carol Aghajanian, MSK’s Chief of Gynecologic Medical Oncology, led a clinical trial looking at treatment outcomes of patients who added immunotherapy to the current chemotherapy standard of care. The drug combination reduced both disease progression and mortality.

The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s annual meeting. US News & World Report and NBC News covered the study, which one oncologist called “practice-changing.”

Read more about Dr. Aghajanian’s research on the MSK website.

LGBTQIA+? You are Eligible to Join the Stem Cell Donor Registry

Healio.com recently interviewed MSK Senior Research Scientist Dr. Warren Fingrut about improving awareness of stem cell donor eligibility for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM).

Dr. Fingrut’s study, presented at a recent joint meeting of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) and Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), asked for feedback from 12 focus groups of 37 total gbMSM to determine how to reduce barriers to donation and improve awareness of eligibility. Most participants were unaware of their eligibility, and many were concerned that physician acceptance of gbMSM donors was not universal.

For more information, visit the Stem Cell Club’s Saving Lives with Pride campaign site. And visit Be the Match to register to donate.