Dr. Michael Simon Receives Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation McDevitt Excellence in Research Award for Physicians
DETROIT, May 12, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Michael Simon, M.D., MPH, leader of the Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Team and co-leader of the Population Studies and Disparities Research Program at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, recently received the 2015 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation McDevitt Excellence in Research Award for Physicians in the area of clinical research. The award was given for his investigation into mammography use and the rates of breast cancer mortality in women 75 years and older.
The award provides $10,000 to be used for clinical or health policy research.
"I want to thank the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation for this award and for providing support for future investigations into breast cancer and mammography use," said Dr. Simon. "It is critical that we continue to look into how mammography can save women's lives when it comes to detecting this disease. Mammography continues to be the first line of defense in finding breast cancer early when it can be more easily treatable."
Dr. Simon and fellow scientists published this work in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment in 2014. The article is titled, "Mammography interval and breast cancer mortality in women over the age of 75."
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationship between mammography interval and breast cancer mortality among older women with breast cancer. Study results suggested that the longer the time between diagnosis and the last self-reported mammogram was associated with higher rates of mortality due to either breast cancer or any cause of death.
The suggested relationship between mammography interval and breast cancer mortality is particularly relevant for women 75 years of age or older at diagnosis in light of the 2009 U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommendations, which reported a lack of evidence as a support for not performing screening mammography after the age of 74.
The results of the study suggest a continued role for mammography screening after the age of 75 years in light of the overall health of the individual woman.
The research represents a collaboration between Dr. Simon and researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, the University of Arizona Cancer Center; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle; the University of California in Irvine; the Washington Cancer Institute and MedStar Washington Hospital Center; Stony Brook University School of Medicine in New York; and the University of Pittsburgh.
To read the full article, click http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10549-014-3114-4.
About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
Located in mid-town Detroit, Michigan, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, a subsidiary of McLaren Health Care, is one of 41 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Karmanos is among the nation's best cancer centers. Through the commitment of 1,000 staff, including nearly 300 physicians and researchers on faculty at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and supported by thousands of volunteer and financial donors, Karmanos strives to prevent, detect and eradicate all forms of cancer. Its long-term partnership with the WSU School of Medicine enhances the collaboration of critical research and academics related to cancer care. Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., is the Institute's president and chief executive officer. For more information call 1-800-KARMANOS or go to www.karmanos.org.
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SOURCE Karmanos Cancer Institute
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