Women's Cancers, Women's Issues

“Women and Their Journeys: Personal Expressions" - 1997 and 1998, created by patients and Rochester area women to honor women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer
Quilts of the Women's Cancer Program

An integral part of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, the multidisciplinary Women's Cancer Program is recognized by the National Cancer Institute for its leadership role in patient care, research and education. Spanning all three Mayo Clinic sites in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, the program conducts cutting-edge, innovative research into breast and gynecological cancers. Women's cancer experts collaborate with many other Mayo Clinic programs and services to provide the best possible patient experience for each woman, and throughout both research and patient care activities pursue the goal to educate the next generation of scientists, clinicians and other care givers.

The Women's Cancer Program's mission is to:

• Advance the scientific understanding of breast and gynecologic cancers,
• Educate patients, professionals and the public about breast and gynecologic cancers, and
• Provide the best possible care to each individual patient.

A Unique Susceptibility

Of all cancers diagnosed in women, fully 45 percent originate in the breasts or reproductive system. Mayo Clinic researchers recognize that the unique susceptibility of the breast and gynecological system to develop cancer necessitates careful study of the biology, risk factors and management of women’s cancers. The Mayo Clinic Women’s Cancer Program works to advance understanding of and management strategies for breast and gynecological malignancies.

Because of Mayo’s multidisciplinary and shared resource systems, the research program is able to integrate breast and gynecologic cancers for a broader look at women’s health.

Multidisciplinary teams in the Women’s Cancer Program work together to:

• Identify key genetic alterations underlying women’s cancers
• Define key cellular systems and pathways in the biology of women’s cancers
• Improve identification of women at increased risk for breast and gynecologic cancers
• Develop and test innovative management strategies in women’s cancers

The importance placed on research at Mayo Clinic fosters collaboration between scientists and clinicians and encourages patient-oriented research. Mayo’s efforts contribute to the global understanding of women’s cancers, because Mayo’s large clinical practice in breast and gynecological diseases gives researchers access to patients with a wide range of cancerous and precancerous conditions. Mayo also has an extensive archive of breast and gynecologic tissue samples and a state-of-the-art proteomics research center, providing invaluable resources to scientists trying to find new ways to predict and combat women’s cancers.

In addition investigating biology, risk factors and treatment options, Women’s Cancer Program researchers are studying more personal issues important to women with cancer and their families. This research includes psychosocial research exploring spirituality, emotional impact of cancer on family members of the patient, and other quality of life issues. Mayo Clinic’s culture of collaboration encourages the spectrum of women’s cancer practitioners and investigators to be involved, including basic scientists, clinicians, nurses, chaplains, social workers, and others.

The scientists, physicians and other staff are committed to ensuring that women who participate in research at Mayo Clinic receive the best care for all their health concerns. At Mayo, research and patient care work hand-in-hand. Research is patient-oriented, and clinicians enthusiastically participate in new research projects. The goal of this collaboration is also Mayo Clinic’s goal — to serve the best interest of the patient first and foremost.

• Ongoing Research
• Treatment
• Clinical Trials