Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center

01/24/2025

Movement is medicine—especially for girls entering puberty! 🏃‍♀️💪

Did you know that exercise habits during these years can impact early-onset breast cancer risk later in life?

Rebecca Kehm, PhD, assistant professor of Epidemiology, breaks down how staying active during puberty and into adolescence can lower the risk of early-onset breast cancer later in life. Columbia Children's Health Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Learn more about the environmental, hormonal, and lifestyle factors behind this important connection. https://www.cancer.columbia.edu/news/rise-early-onset-breast-cancer-may-start-puberty

01/21/2025

HICCC’s “Pathways to a Cure” Annual Report is live! Columbia University Irving Medical Center NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

In this issue, we’re exploring HICCC’s latest discoveries in AI, cell therapies, and robotic surgery, sharing inspiring messages from our patients, and spotlighting the next generation of leaders in cancer research and health equity.

Read the issue here:

This year has been a transformative one for the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC). With the launch of our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, we are reflecting on our achievements and charting a bold path forward. Our vision is clear: our discoveries here will end cancer everywhere.

10/28/2024

Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month , HICCC came together to wear pink in support of those whose lives have been affected by breast cancer. Check out some of the incredible researchers, nurses, clinicians, and health professionals who advance and support breast cancer research and provide compassionate care every day at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital.

Over 200,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year in the U.S. Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month helps bring awareness about breast cancer and how to find it early, including mammograms every two years starting at age 40 for those at average risk of breast cancer.

09/30/2024

We are thrilled to welcome Michel Sadelain, MD, PhD, a global pioneer in CAR-T therapies, to Columbia and to the the HICCC.

Michel Sadelain named the inaugural director of the Columbia Initiative for Cell Engineering and Therapy and director of the Cancer Cell Therapy Initiative in the HICCC.

06/02/2024

Sasha's journey through cancer treatment, recovery, and survivorship offers a powerful reminder: it takes a village.

Today, National Cancer Survivors Day, we honor all those facing cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and champion survivors and their care teams.
https://youtu.be/dsmPvuXHD-Y

04/04/2024

AACR’s 2024 annual meeting starts tomorrow! Stay up to date here on exciting research being presented by HICCC physicians and scientists and tag us in your meeting highlights to be featured. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
https://www.cancer.columbia.edu/news/roundup-hiccc-aacr-2024

04/02/2024

Facing a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming for patients. “One major stressor is the uncertainty about the course their cancer will take," says Columbia University Irving Medical Center psychologist Jon Levenson, MD. Read more in the article from TIME.

Support groups and meeting with a therapist can help.

04/01/2024

At just 31, Rachel Secrest was shocked to learn she had colorectal cancer. But thanks to the care of Beatrice Dionigi, MD and Alfred Neugut, MD, the professional dancer is cancer-free and can return to the stage.

At 31, Rachel Secrest was shocked to learn that a painful mass in her colon was cancer. But thanks to the care of experts at NewYork-Presbyterian, the contemporary dancer is now cancer free — and set to return to the stage.

03/28/2024

Join us in welcoming Eun-Ju Lee, MD! As a Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellow and recipient of an NIH NIDDK student research training grant, Dr. Lee brings expertise in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

03/27/2024

Why is colorectal cancer on the rise in people younger than 55? Read more as Dr. Benjamin Lebwohl and Dr. Beatrice Dionigi explain the trend and stress the importance of early screening and awareness.

A gastroenterologist explains the rise of colorectal cancer diagnoses in adults younger than 55, and when people should see a specialist.

03/26/2024

Meet Tyler Nichols, a dedicated Columbia Public Health student committed to health equity and policy. Read more on how his work with the CHURCH Trial drives diversity dialogues and empowers underrepresented voices in healthcare.

MPH student Tyler Nichols writes about his public health education in and out of the classroom.

03/25/2024

Did you know colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the US? Fortunately, it's highly preventable with proper screening, and Dr. Daniel Freedberg shares colonoscopy prep tips to help you prepare for it. https://healthmatters.nyp.org/colonoscopy-prep-tips/

03/24/2024

Starfysh- a computational tool developed by Elham Azizi, PhD- revolutionizes the study of gene expression within tissues. Read more on the study published in Nature Biotechnology, which will provide insights into disease dynamics, especially in cancer research.
https://cancerdynamics.columbia.edu/news/iicd-researchers-introduce-starfysh-breakthrough-tool-transforming-spatial-gene-expression

03/23/2024

We are excited to introduce our "Staff Shout Outs", a new series that will spotlight our amazing HICCC staff members! Our second shout out goes to Alexis Pissey Keo, [Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Clinical Research Manager]. Says Edward Bentylewski, "Alexis has been a key member in advancing our DEI efforts and doing stellar work in our diversity equity and inclusion clinical trial training program. She approaches each challenge with enthusiasm and contributes to many of the amazing projects in the CPDM."

03/22/2024

Congratulations to Carla Concepcion-Crisol, PhD, for being selected as the recipient of the Alice Bohmfalk Charitable Trust Award. This award supports early career scientists with their initial scientific work at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons.

03/21/2024

Meet Rev. Dr. Gail Badger, a community health worker whose own colorectal cancer diagnosis led her to activism. She’s a passionate and positive force in helping church members and others take the step to get potentially lifesaving screening!

03/20/2024

Our DEI office hosted a fantastic event! The LGBTQIA+ Affinity in Academica featured panelists Emily Mace, PhD, and Santiago Correa, PhD, discussing inclusivity in biomedical research and their experiences navigating academia as LGBTQIA+ individuals.

03/19/2024

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2023 Trainee Associate Membership (TAM) pilot grants, travel awards, and paper(s) of the year! These are internal mentored research awards given to support graduate students, medical students, and postgraduate researchers in their cancer research endeavors.

Congratulations to our Trainee Associate Membership program awardees, including our predoctoral and postdoctoral pilot awards, travel awards and papers of the year!