UAB: Comprehensive Cancer Center

A vaccine designed to prevent cervical cancer also may protect females from post-surgical recurrence of the disease, according to researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Comprehensive Cancer Center. A new study shows that the Gardasil vaccine reduces the likelihood of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related disease recurring after teen and adult women already have had surgery to remove cancer or certain pre-cancerous changes, said Warner Huh, M.D., a senior scientist at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center and associate professor in the UAB Division of Gynecologic Oncology and lead presenter on the study.

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Researchers affiliated with the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered a set of four biomarkers that will help predict which patients are more likely to develop aggressive colorectal cancer and which are not. The findings also shed light on the genetics that result in worse colorectal cancer-treatment outcomes for African-Americans, compared with Caucasians, the researchers said.

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Cancer death rates for African-Americans far exceed non-Hispanic Caucasians in the United States, and only community-driven approaches to reducing health disparities will lessen the gap, says Edward Partridge, M.D., president-elect of the American Cancer Society (ACS) National Board of Directors and director of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center.

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Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, Ph.D., R.D., a professor in the UAB Department of Nutrition Sciences, has been appointed associate director for cancer prevention and control at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. A renowned researcher on the nutrition concerns of cancer patients and the ways diet and exercise can benefit cancer survivors, Demark-Wahnefried is one of the top-funded investigators of body composition and metabolic changes in response to cancer treatment.

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The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center recognizes May as National Cancer Research Month, declared in 2007 by the United States Congress. This month the UAB Cancer Center is joining the American Association for Cancer Research's national campaign to "facilitate progress and speed translation of new scientific discoveries for the benefit of cancer patients and the 11.4 million cancer survivors living in America today." For nearly 40 years, scientists at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center have dedicated their lives to finding cures for cancer. As one of only 40 National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated comprehensive cancer centers in the nation, the Center is at the forefront in the fight against cancer. The Center's vision is "to eliminate cancer as a major public health problem." In honor of National Cancer Research Month, please learn more about our recent discoveries and consider making a gift to support our fight against cancer. Learn more about the American Association of Cancer Research.

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Patients from the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center were treated to a meeting and autograph session with IndyCar drivers April 9 during the inaugural Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at the Barber Motorsports Park. Their visit included a tour and spin around the track.

When Tony Meyer, a former UAB physician and owner of Homewood's Classic Wine Company, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in June 2008, he found himself relying on the specialists and staff at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center to save his life. Dr. Meyer underwent six cycles of chemotherapy at the Cancer Center, and now more than a year after his diagnosis, he remains cancer-free. "I think of cancer as my adventure on the other end of the stethoscope," he says.

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The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is proud to salute our dedicated nursing team during Oncology Nursing Month. Read about Faye Williams, nurse manager for the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center's Inpatient Medical Oncology Unit. Mrs. Williams has worked in the unit since 1997 and been nurse manager since 2002, where she ensures the unit has everything it needs to provide patients with the best possible care. Helping cancer patients is both important and rewarding to Mrs. Williams. "UAB is the best place in the world to work, and to be a part of the Comprehensive Cancer Center is truly a blessing," she says.

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Thursday, May 6, 2010
Ole’our way - Fiesta Ball presented by the Young Supporters Board
6:00 - 10:00 p.m./Innovation Depot

The Young Supporters Board of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center presents the opportunity to celebrate Cinco de Mayo for a cause-Fiesta Ball 2010. Fiesta Ball is a fun-filled Mexican themed event like no other. Guests will enjoy live music, Mexican food, beer and wine - while supporting Alabama's Cancer Center. Tickets $25

Purchase tickets now

Saturday, June 5, 2010
Celebrating Life - National Cancer Survivors Day celebration
7:00 - Noon
Pepper Place Saturday Market

Join an all-star collaboration of Alabama’s cancer-related organizations as they come together to celebrate cancer survivors and host Celebrating Life, a National Cancer Survivors Day celebration at one of Birmingham's best outdoor events, Pepper Place Saturday Market. Cancer survivors, family members and caregivers will be celebrated!

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ArtBLINK Gala celebrates 25th anniversary and fuels future progress

For 25 years, the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center's Advisory Board has been dedicated to raising funds for research and patient assistance efforts at the Cancer Center. This year they celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Gala, a fun and festive evening marking the culmination of the board's annual fundraising campaign. This year's event honored Herman and Emmie Bolden, longtime Cancer Center supporters and charter members of the Advisory Board, for their many years of dedication and support. A highlight of the Gala was ArtBLINK, in which 18 of Alabama’s top artists created masterpieces in 90 minutes to be auctioned off. Altogether, the event raised more than $840,000.

Learn more about ArtBLINK Gala.

UAB and community leaders, joined with cancer survivors on February 28 to officially open the new Hazelrig-Salter Radiation Oncology Center and the Jim Limbaugh Family Park of Hope honoring Phyllis Limbaugh. The new facility is the culmination of five years of dedicated fundraising efforts by community leaders and cancer survivors. Two of the most significant gifts that made the new center a reality came from W. Cobb Hazelrig and James Limbaugh. The 50,000 square-foot Hazelrig-Salter Radiation Oncology Center is among the most technologically advanced centers of its size in the country.

Raised more than $9,000 for breast cancer research at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center

UAB Women's Basketball and the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center teamed up on March 4, for the UAB vs. University of Central Florida game to take down breast cancer. Breast cancer survivors were recognized and Bartow Arena became pink as more than $9,000 was raised for breast cancer research. "We are proud of our partnership with UAB Athletics," said Ed Partridge, M.D., Director, UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. "They are a true partner in the fight against cancer."

For more than 14 years, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA) has been supporting innovative and cutting-edge breast cancer research at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. This year the foundation presented their largest contribution yet to the Cancer Center - $241,000. To date, BCRFA has raised nearly $2.5 million since being established in 1996. Their generous support has moved forward many important discoveries, and their partnership has provided crucial seed funding for research that led to the Cancer Center receiving a significant $6.4-million Promise Grant from Susan G. Komen and the highly competitive Breast SPORE grant from the National Cancer Institute.