UH Cancer Center coordinated breast cancer clinical trials may improve routine care

Tese trials are very important because breast cancer is a signifcant issue in Hawai ‘ i . Racial and ethnic minority groups are severely under-represented in breast cancer clinical trials in the rest of the United States , so participation of patients from Hawai ‘ i is doubly important ,” said Randall Holcombe , UH Cancer Center director .

Aspirin Breast Cancer Clinical Trial The ABC Trial

Te ABC trial is an NCI-sponsored national clinical trial provided locally by the UH Cancer Center to determine if the addition of daily aspirin for fve years will decrease the likelihood of cancer returning post-treatment for breast cancer patients who are at signifcant risk of recurrence despite completing all standard treatments .

Tere is signifcant data to support the potential benefts of aspirin in breast cancer survivors . Aspirin is inexpensive and widely available , so this treatment could be used worldwide to improve breast cancer outcomes . Te results will help determine if aspirin can become part of routine care for breast cancer patients . Te only way to evaluate this is to conduct this very important clinical trial ,” said Jessica Rhee , MD , medical director of the UH Cancer Center Clinical Trials Ofce .

Highly skilled medical professionals and women who participated in earlier research and trials are foundational to my remission of cancer . It is now my responsibility and opportunity to participate in ongoing research , namely the aspirin trial , to beneft others diagnosed , and to contribute to the quest of conquering cancer ,” said Sandra Hee , ABC clinical trial participant .

Digital Mammography Breast Cancer Clinical Trial

RESEARCH NEWS

Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial ( TMIST )

Tomosynthesis , also known as 3-D mammography , was FDA approved in 2012 and is becoming more widely used in the United States . However , 2-D mammography has been the standard method for breast cancer screening since 2005 . Te TMIST trial compares the two diferent mammography technologies to determine which is better at detecting breast cancers , and more impactful in reducing breast cancer deaths .

Although screening mammography has been shown to reduce breast cancer death rates , there has been recent controversy regarding the benefts and recommended schedule of screening mammograms especially in women younger than 50 years of age . Tis clinical trial will provide relevant information so women and their physicians better understand the impact of modern breast cancer screening .

Afer helplessly watching my mother ’ s own cancer struggle , I decided to participate in the TMIST clinical trial during my regularly scheduled mammogram at the Queen ’ s Women ’ s Health Center . It was only a few questions and a blood test . I felt happy to help because not enough people are taking advantage of this opportunity to be part of a clinical trial sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and provided here as fruit of the partnership between Te Queen ’ s Medical Center and the University of Hawai ‘ i Cancer Center ,” said Cathy Morris , TMIST clinical trial participant . “ It was something I could do to have an actual impact on the fght against cancer . Te researchers and doctors need our help to give them the data they need to study . I wish more women knew how easy it is to help through TMIST .”

Jami Fukui selected for NCI Breast Immuno-Oncology Task Force

Jami Fukui , MD , University of Hawai ‘ i Cancer Center assistant researcher , was selected as a National Cancer Institute ( NCI ) Community Oncology Research Program ( NCORP ) Representative on the NCI Breast Immuno-Oncology ( BIO ) Task Force of the Breast Cancer Steering Committee ( BCSC ).

Te BIO Task Force gives preliminary feedback on important questions , and helps identify the most signifcant scientifc advances in breast cancer immunotherapy trials . Te Task Force will aid in the support and selection of new , well-designed clinical trials .

Jami Fukui , MD

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