Video: Pennington, LSU Health Researchers’ New Cancer Screening Tool Is Saving Women’s Lives
February 20, 2024
A new partnership between a Pennington Biomedical physician-researcher and an LSU School of Medicine oncologist has led to early detection and treatment of the fastest-growing cancer in young women in Louisiana.
Instances of endometrial cancer, which is associated with excess weight, have risen among Louisiana's underserved and minority population, including women much younger than just a decade ago.
Dr. Vance L. Albaugh, of Pennington Biomedical’s Metamor Institute, and Dr. Amelia Jernigan, of the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, have utilized a new screening tool to identify women with cancer early.
"Our goal is to catch these cancers at very early stages and eliminate the cancer before the need for a major surgery," Dr. Albaugh said. "Our long-term goal is to determine if treating obesity will prevent a woman from developing endometrial cancer. Ultimately, we want to decrease cancer rates among the general public by treating obesity effectively."
Fueled by its Scholarship First Agenda, LSU is working to improve medical outcomes across Louisiana and the nation.