UC Davis Cancer Center News

Community forum on stem cell research and cancer

Susan Mar-Schwab — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (November 3, 2009) - Four UC Davis stem cell experts will give brief presentations on stem cell research followed by a question-and-answer session during a community forum on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the UC Davis MIND Institute, 2825 50th Street, in Sacramento.

Undergrad biology student wows judges at cancer center research symposium

Dorsey Griffith — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (October 19, 2009) - When UC Davis undergraduate Tem Woldeyesus presented his scientific poster at the UC Davis Cancer Center research symposium recently, he didn't know his project was being scrutinized by a panel of three judges.

Spaghetti Western raises $21,500 for UC Davis Cancer Center research

Susan Mar-Schwab — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (October 1, 2009) - The second annual — and wildly popular — Spaghetti Western event held recently netted $21,500 to benefit UC Davis Cancer Center research.

Revolutionary statewide UC collaboration targets breast cancer

Dorsey Griffith — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (September 30, 2009) - UC Davis Cancer Center will take part in an unprecedented statewide collaboration for breast cancer patients with the goal of revolutionizing the course of their care by designing and testing new approaches to research, technology and health-care delivery.

Some Asian-American women affected differently by non-smoking rules and policies, new research shows

Susan Mar-Schwab — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (September 3, 2009) - Smoke-free policies and non-smoking rules are not always effective among Asian American women, a majority of which don’t smoke but may be at risk for second-hand smoke exposure, a recent study has found.

PET plus CT accurately visualizes suspected breast cancer tumors in 3-D, UC Davis researchers report

Susan Mar-Schwab — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (September 2, 2009) - An innovative collaboration among UC Davis engineers, physicists and radiologists has resulted in the first-ever fully 3-D breast imaging technique that uses both high-resolution PET and CT scanning.

City of Sacramento Resolution honors life, philanthropic efforts of Joseph Sullivan

Carole Gan — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (August 28, 2009) - Mayor Kevin Johnson recognized the philanthropy of Joseph Sullivan, a grandson of a former slave who was born in Georgia and realized the American dream of home ownership in the Del Paso Heights neighborhood of Sacramento, at a gathering at City Hall on August 25. Twenty-one UC Davis faculty and friends of Mr. Sullivan attended to show their support.

Cancer patient's memory lives on in annual Fair Oaks fundraiser

Dorsey Griffith — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (August 27, 2009) - It has been almost 12 years since Sandra (Sandi) Schwedler lost her valiant fight against non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Dixon girls make jewelry, raise funds for melanoma research

Susan Mar-Schwab — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (August 21, 2009) - Sometimes, as they say, the greatest gifts come in the smallest packages. That is certainly the case of Ireland and Maren McGuire, who have given deeply of themselves in an effort to combat the disease that has taken hold of their grandmother.

Tahoe Forest Health System Named Rural Center of Excellence

Charles Casey — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (August 7, 2009) - UC Davis Health System has named Tahoe Forest Health System as its first Rural Center of Excellence, a special designation that recognizes the Truckee-based organization for becoming a training site for medical students and for its willingness to embrace new approaches to rural health-care services.

Poor health care access not to blame for high death rates among American Indian women with breast cancer

Dorsey Griffith — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (July 20, 2009) - Low breast cancer screening and survival rates for American Indian and Alaska native women have more to do with cultural beliefs than with barriers such as access to health care, a new UC Davis study has found.

College students take giant step toward cancer science careers

Phyllis Brown — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (June 29, 2009) - Nine area college students are taking a giant step toward cancer science careers this summer — and helping to address a shortage of under-represented groups in cancer research — by working as interns in one of four UC Davis cancer research laboratories.

UC Davis students receive scholarships from biotech industry leader Genentech

Karen Finney — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (June 23, 2009) - Two UC Davis students Mary Saunders, a Ph.D. candidate in comparative pathology with designated emphases in biotechnology and translational research, and Wenhui Zhou, an undergraduate studying biochemistry and molecular biology received scholarships at a luncheon held yesterday at Genentech headquarters in South San Francisco.

UC Davis graduate, cancer survivor inspired to study medicine

Susan Mar-Schwab — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:00:00 GMT

DAVIS, CALIF. (June 8, 2009) - For many people who have endured a cancer diagnosis, then arduous and sometimes devastating treatments, the best way forward is to put the entire experience behind them.

Cancer survivors celebrate at Annual Survivorship Picnic

Susan Mar-Schwab — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (June 1, 2009) - If there was a theme at Saturday’s annual Cancer Center Survivorship Picnic, it must have been hope.

UC Davis Cancer Center welcomes the community to National Cancer Survivors Week, May 25 through 30

Susan Mar-Schwab — Wed, 20 May 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (May 20, 2009) - Special events open to the public and honoring cancer survivors highlight the 2009 National Cancer Survivors Week celebration at UC Davis Cancer Center. Survivors along with their families, friends, caregivers and health-care providers are welcome to participate and experience a few of the many programs and resources the cancer center and community offer.

Projected surge in liver cancer among Asian American and Pacific Islanders

Susan Mar-Schwab — Tue, 19 May 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (May 19, 2009) - Liver cancer among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is expected to soar in coming years, in part as a result of chronic hepatitis B, a leading cause of the disease.

Women previously diagnosed with abnormal cervical cell growth at higher risk for recurrence and invasive cancer

Susan Mar-Schwab — Tue, 12 May 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (May 12, 2009) - New research from the UC Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research has found that women who have been treated for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (abnormal cervical cell growth), are at higher risk for a recurrence of the disease or invasive cervical cancer.

Making cancer doable

Karen Finney — Tue, 05 May 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (May 5, 2009) - UC Davis Cancer Center is offering a free orientation and training session for breast-cancer survivors who want to help those recently diagnosed with the disease. Offered as part of the WeCARE Peer Navigator Program, the training begins the process of becoming a "cancer coach," which involves supporting breast-cancer patients with problem-solving skills, psychosocial needs, community resources and appointments with physicians.

Prostate cancer expert to lead UC Davis Radiation Oncology

Susan Mar-Schwab — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (April 17, 2009) - Richard K. Valicenti has joined UC Davis Health System as professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, where he will lead the department’s clinical, research, education and administrative operations.

UC Davis Cancer Center operations return to normal

Susan Mar-Schwab — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (April 13, 2009) - UC Davis Police issued an all clear today at UC Davis Cancer Center after a search of facilities did not uncover an alleged bomb.

New funding allows UC Davis researchers to develop simple diagnostic test for kidney cancer

Susan Mar-Schwab — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (April 9, 2009) - UC Davis researchers have received a $1.25 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to identify the biomarkers of kidney cancer. The funding makes possible a five-year project that will find early indicators and a diagnostic test for the disease.

UC Davis researchers identify a protein that may help breast cancer spread, beat cancer drugs

Karen Finney — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (April 1, 2009) - New research from UC Davis Cancer Center shows that a protein called Muc4 may be the essential ingredient that allows breast cancer to spread to other organs and resist therapeutic treatment. The study, which appears in the April 1 issue of Cancer Research, is one of the first to characterize the role of Muc4 in this disease.

UC Davis researcher receives funding to develop diagnostic test for ovarian cancer

Susan Mar-Schwab — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (March 19, 2009) - UC Davis researcher Gary Leiserowitz has received $900,000 from the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund to support his efforts in finding an early diagnostic marker for ovarian cancer.

Media advisory: Going bald for the seventh time

Karen Finney — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (March 10, 2009) - The Luigi boys  Tino, 13, and Jake, 15  have something to celebrate: They are going bald for the seventh year in a row. As part of the St. Baldrick's Foundation head-shaving event hosted by the Keaton Raphael Memorial at UC Davis Cancer Center, they will go hair-free to honor Tino being cancer-free for seven years.

UC Davis researchers find no differences in survival or neonatal outcomes in pregnancy-associated colorectal cancer

Karen Finney — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (February 26, 2009) - In one of the first studies to examine maternal and newborn health risks and colorectal cancer, UC Davis researchers have found that women diagnosed with the disease during or shortly after their pregnancies have the same survival as women who have the disease and are not pregnant. The study also found that, while there is an increased chance of preterm labor, the outcomes for the babies is the same for women with colorectal cancer as for those without the disease.

Gaps in colorectal cancer screening persist between whites and non-whites

Karen Finney — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (February 18, 2009) - Colorectal cancer screening among patients with Medicare coverage is increasing, but a persistent gap remains between whites  who are screened most frequently  and all other racial and ethnic groups, according to a new study by researchers at UC Davis and the University of Washington. They study also showed that the biggest gap is between whites and Hispanics.

Study shows that primary care doctors miss opportunities to recommend colon cancer screening

Karen Finney — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (February 3, 2009) - While it is known that patients with few primary care doctor's office visits are less likely to receive colorectal cancer screening, new research indicates that even patients who see their physicians regularly also do not receive screening. The study, which appears in the February issue of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, was conducted by a team of researchers at UC Davis, the University of Washington and Group Health Cooperative in Seattle.

Free writing and gentle movement courses from UC Davis Cancer Center begin in February

Karen Finney — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 08:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (February 2, 2009) - UC Davis Cancer Center offers two free courses beginning in February for cancer patients and their friends, family members, caregivers and health-care providers.

UC Davis study links smoking with most male cancer deaths

Karen Finney — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (January 21, 2009) - The association between tobacco smoke and cancer deaths  beyond lung cancer deaths  has been strengthened by a recent study from a UC Davis researcher, suggesting that increased tobacco control efforts could save more lives than previously estimated.

UC Davis researcher sheds light on soft-tissue sarcoma survival

Karen Finney — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (January 12, 2009) - New studies led by a UC Davis Cancer Center researcher have found what makes a relatively uncommon form of cancer  soft-tissue sarcoma  deadly for some patients. The outcomes support the idea that detailed knowledge of tumor factors such as size, site, grade and depth can help physicians recommend treatments that improve survival.

Mix Downtown and deVere's Irish Pub present "A Grand Opening for a Grand Cause" benefiting UC Davis Cancer Center

Karen Finney — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (January 12, 2009) - On January 21 from 6 until 9 p.m., the newly renovated Firestone Building at 16th and L streets comes alive for cancer patients throughout Northern and Central California. The Sacramento landmark and historic structure is the new home of Mix Downtown and deVere's Irish Pub, and both establishments will open their doors for "A Grand Opening for a Grand Cause" to benefit UC Davis Cancer Center.

AANCART receives national recognition for health disparities leadership

Karen Finney — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (December 30, 2008) - The Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness Research and Training (AANCART) has been honored by the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities with its Health Disparities Leadership Award. The recognition was announced during an awards banquet in National Harbor, Md., on Dec. 17, held in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health Summit on the Science of Eliminating Health Disparities.

Free January courses from UC Davis Cancer Center

Susan Mar-Schwab — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (December 30, 2008) - UC Davis Cancer Center is offering two free courses in January: an art course for children dealing with cancer and a fitness course for adults seeking to recover physical strength following cancer treatment.

UC Davis researchers find molecule that targets brain tumors

Karen Finney — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (December 26, 2008) - UC Davis Cancer Center researchers report today the discovery of a molecule that targets glioblastoma, a highly deadly form of cancer. The finding, which is published in the January 2009 issue of the European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, provides hope for effectively treating an incurable cancer.

UC Davis discovery offers hope for treating kidney cancer

Karen Finney — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (December 23, 2008) - In one of the first discoveries of its kind, UC Davis Cancer Center researchers have identified ways to block a cancer gene's own repair mechanism and, in so doing, help make chemotherapy for kidney cancer more effective and better tolerated. The outcome is published in the current issue of Cancer Biology and Therapy.

A diet high in vegetables, fruit and fiber may cut risk of breast cancer recurrence in women without hot flashes

Susan Mar-Schwab — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (December 15, 2008) - A secondary analysis of a large, multicenter clinical trial has shown that a diet loaded with fruits, vegetables and fiber and somewhat lower in fat compared to standard federal dietary recommendations cuts the risk of recurrence in a subgroup of early-stage breast cancer survivors – women who didn’t have hot flashes – by approximately 31 percent.

UC Davis team refines cancer treatments to reduce potential nerve damage

Karen Finney — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (December 15, 2008) - Radiation treatments are effective in stopping cancer cells from spreading or shrinking tumors, however oncologists have become increasingly concerned about inadvertent exposures during head and neck cancer treatments to nerves responsible for upper body mobility. To reduce the possibility of permanent nerve damage, UC Davis Cancer Center researchers have established new guidelines for physicians nationwide.

Safeway Foundation funds new peer navigator program for breast-cancer patients

Karen Finney — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (December 12, 2008) - The first few months after diagnosis can be one of the most traumatic periods in a cancer survivor's life. To help breast-cancer patients during this difficult time, UC Davis Cancer Center is pleased to announce it has received $128,000 from the Safeway Foundation to create the WeCARE Community-Based Breast Cancer Peer Navigator Project.

Liven up your Christmas tree and support breast-cancer research

Karen Finney — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

December 3, 2008 - The beautiful "Giboney Tree of Hope" and its hundreds of holiday ornaments have been brightening the lobby and bringing smiles to the faces of patients and staff of UC Davis Cancer Center. The tree will soon provide hope to all breast-cancer patients, when it is "untrimmed" and its ornaments are sold to benefit breast-cancer research.

UC Davis Cancer Center to study breast-cancer vaccine

Carole Gan — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (December 1, 2008) - UC Davis Cancer Center researchers are launching a study of a new, experimental vaccine to determine if it can arrest or prevent breast cancer when used in conjunction with standard hormonal therapies.