Beth Dougherty

Program Specializes in Older Adults with Gastrointestinal Cancers 

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Dana-Farber’s Older Adult Gastrointestinal Cancer program specializes in treating patients who are 65 and older and have gastrointestinal cancers, such as colorectal cancer, esophageal and gastric cancer, liver cancer, neuroendocrine and pancreatic cancer.   “Older adults are richly complex and multidimensional,” says gastrointestinal and geriatric oncologist Nadine McCleary, MD, MPH, who leads the program. “They deserve … Read more

Microplastics and Cancer: Your Questions Answered 

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In recent decades, rates of some cancers, such as colorectal cancer, have been rising in young adults under the age of 50. One possible explanation for this rise is a parallel rise in obesity rates and changes in diet, activity levels and lifestyle.   However, says Kimmie Ng, MD, MPH, director of Dana-Farber’s Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer … Read more

A Year of Advances in Genitourinary Cancer 

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Dana-Farber’s genitourinary cancer team is devoted to research that will advance patient care and improve patient’s lives. Recently, that research — all of it years in the making — has paid off with major achievements.  This includes:  “We are constantly striving to improve the treatment and diagnosis of genitourinary cancers,” says Toni Choueiri, MD, director … Read more

Expanding Options for Patients with Ovarian Cancer 

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In 2021, a novel drug called belzutifan was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat clear cell renal cell carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer. Since then, Dana-Farber clinical investigator Panos Konstantinopoulos, MD, PhD, has wanted to launch a clinical trial of the drug for clear cell ovarian cancer.  That vision … Read more

What’s on My Slide? What Pathologists See and Learn Under the Microscope 

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Pathologists at Dana-Farber analyze tumor samples from tissues collected from patients as part of research studies. Their goal is to learn as much as possible about the sample so that they determine the best way to diagnose the disease precisely and guide treatment decisions.  As research advances, more and more factors are influencing diagnoses and … Read more

Understanding the Spread of Science Misinformation  

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According to a new report, misinformation about science and health can lead individuals to make ill-informed decisions that aren’t in their best interest. It also has broader effects in society by causing confusion and eroding trust in institutions, including scientific institutions.  Over the past two-plus years, a panel of scientific investigators gathered by the National Academies … Read more

What is a RAS Mutation? 

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RAS is an oncogene, which is a gene that when mutated causes cancer. RAS — an abbreviation for rat sarcoma — is the most commonly mutated oncogene in human cancer. RAS mutations are found in 20% of all cancers and account for an estimated 260,000 cases per year in the U.S. and 3.4 million cases … Read more

Dana-Farber Researchers Share Latest Blood Cancer and Blood Disorder Research

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Dana-Farber physician-scientists presented results of more than 100 research studies at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting. Scientists shared findings across a range of hematologic disorders, underscoring the Institute’s dedication to innovation in hematologic oncology research, advances in early disease detection and intervention, and improving patient outcomes.   ASH is the world’s most comprehensive hematology … Read more

COVID-19 Vaccines for Cancer Patients and Survivors: Information to Know

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Dana-Farber strongly encourages patients to get vaccinated for COVID-19 to protect themselves from serious infection of the virus. Family members, caregivers, and frequent household contacts also should also stay up to date with vaccinations to protect those around them.  COVID-19 vaccines have been given to millions of people and have proven safe and effective at … Read more

A Vision for Health Equity in Childhood Cancer 

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The Dana-Farber lab of Kira Bona, MD, MPH, has uncovered an alarming reality: children from low-income households are more likely to experience cancer relapse and face lower survival rates compared to their more privileged peers, despite receiving treatment on highly standardized clinical trials at top academic centers.   The number of children for whom these data … Read more

Breast Cancer and Young People of Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Descent: What You Need to Know 

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Between 2000 and 2021, breast cancer rates in people under 50 of Asian or Pacific Islander decent rose by nearly 50%, from 36 to 55 cases per 100,000, with sharper increases between 2020 and 2021. Rates of breast cancer in young people are known to be rising in general, but this rate increase, according to … Read more