Reaching Beyond Expectations:
Meet the Women Conducting American Cancer Society Research
By: Tekia Thompson

As the American Cancer Society celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the Society’s research program, more than 10 million Americans with a history of cancer are alive today. Beginning in 1946, the Society’s research program has led the nation in successful, innovative approaches to solving the cancer problem. Women have long been a part of this mission, from Mary Lasker, who initiated a fundraising drive establishing the Society’s research program, to Society Research Professor Mary-Claire King, Ph.D., who localized the BRCA1 gene for inherited susceptibility to breast cancer to a specific site. Women continue to make significant contributions in the areas of cancer research.

Dr. Kimberly Engelman
Dr. Kimberly Engelman, a Society-funded researcher at the University of Kansas Medical Center, has a more personal interest in her research as opposed to mainly academic. Her mother passed away from an extremely aggressive form of lung cancer. Dr. Engelman received two grants from the American Cancer Society resulting in $1,481,000. Her first grant began in 2002 and will end June 2006 while her second grant began January of this year and will run through 2009. Both grants fund breast cancer research, specifically mammography utilization. Mammography, if done on a routine basis, is very effective. However, repeat mammography rates remain low. In her research, Dr. Engelman conducts comprehensive assessments of organizational characteristics of mammography facilities with mass repeat-mammography rates. The result will be a user-friendly Mammography Services Quality Index that may be used widely by mammography facilities for self-assessment. Mammography facilities will then have the necessary information to make key organizational changes that will improve a woman’s mammography experience and ultimately increase repeat-mammography. “I’m deeply inspired by the women I meet who are breast cancer survivors,” she said. “They are heroes in my eyes.” Dr. Engelman has extended her role with the American Cancer Society beyond the lab by participating in the Society Wyandotte County Breast Cancer Prevention Group and the Relay for Life of Wyandotte County. “I’ve met amazing people through both venues and feel the type of work I do has the potential to make a positive difference both at the local and national level,” added Dr. Engelman.

Dr. Lisa Timmons
As Dr. Engelman continues her work in breast cancer research, Dr. Lisa Timmons located at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, focuses on learning why cells become cancerous in the first place. “When I heard the news that I received Society funding, I felt appreciative and joyful for the enthusiasm from our scientific colleagues who supported our research findings, humbled and saddened by the knowledge that our research is supported by families that have lost battles with cancer and hopeful that our research will make a difference,” said Dr. Timmons. Her lab is studying RNAi, a newly discovered phenomenon that exists in cells. It protects cells against viruses and serves as a “policeman” to ensure the genes in our cells are expressed appropriately. While investigating this phenomenon, her lab discovered a new link between RNAi mechanisms and cancer. With further probing, Dr. Timmons imagines the research she and other colleagues are conducting will assist in identifying additional factors that could trigger a cell to become cancerous, thereby providing new routes to cancer prevention and diagnosis. Dr. Timmons received a four-year grant that began in 2005 and will end in 2009. “It is the excitement of discovering something new, the challenge to better understand how our cells function and the hope that our research will impact society in a beneficial way that drives me to continue,” said Dr. Timmons.

Dr. Aimee James
Improving the rates of colon cancer screening and helping patients make informed decisions about how to get screened is the primary focus of Dr. Aimee James’s research. “I hope that my research will raise awareness and adoption of colon cancer screening by people who are at risk for the disease,” she said. Dr. James aims to address the barriers that hinder people from getting screened for the disease. She was awarded her grant in January of this year. It will end December 2010. Working in cancer prevention and control research for several years, James is inspired by the heavy burden of cancer in society. Dr. James feels disparities faced by the underserved population can greatly affect the potential impact of cancer prevention and control efforts. Using a conceptual model of behavior for investigation, James will look at factors such as knowledge, perceived susceptibility, norms, beliefs and “stage of behavior adoption” in relation to participants’ decisions and behaviors for seeking colon cancer screenings. The overall investigation will help to understand why some do utilize colon cancer screenings and how to intervene in changing the behaviors and beliefs of those that do not. This knowledge can lead to improved cancer control efforts and outcomes. “The knowledge that we can impact many cancers through prevention and early detection, and changing our behaviors is what keeps me working in this area,” said Dr. James.

The Future of Cancer Research
Until cancer is defeated, the American Cancer Society will never rest - even though it already has contributed to many advances against cancer. The Society continues to have one of the world’s most progressive public health research programs. The triumphs of the Society’s past simply deepen the resolve to keep moving forward against cancer, one victory at a time. Future Society cancer research will continue to include chemoprevention, nanotechnology, gene-chip technology, targeted cancer vaccines and will address cancer disparities.