Media Contact: Nancy Stringer (619) 543-6163

REDUCING CANCER RISK IS TOPIC OF
CANCER CENTER’S 2001 KAPLAN LECTURE

The Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center* is sponsoring a free public lecture featuring one of the nation’s leading authorities on cancer risk and avoidance. Frederick P. Li, M.D., will give the talk at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, November 29, at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, 10950 North Torrey Pines Road. A reception will precede the lecture, at 5:30 p.m.

During his talk – “Who Is At High Risk of Cancer and What Can They Do About It?” – Li will discuss research now in progress that may lead to new approaches to reduce the burden of cancer. 

“Individuals differ markedly in their risk of developing cancer.  Some are at high risk due to exposure to cancer-causing substances in the environment, while others have inborn susceptibility to cancer,” says Li, who was named by the Cancer Center as the 2001 Maurice and Charmaine Kaplan Distinguished Lecturer in Cancer Prevention. “Cancer-prone individuals and families can benefit from early interventions to reduce risk and detect cancers that can be cured.”

A respected cancer researcher and epidemiologist, Li’s research focuses on inherited cancer-susceptibility genes, and his work has given new impetus to cancer-prevention efforts in high-risk populations. He is the co-discoverer, with Joseph Fraumeni, M.D., of the National Cancer Institute, of an inherited condition called Li-Fraumeni syndrome.  People with this syndrome have a genetic mutation that places them at elevated risk for certain cancers.

Li’s research is also focused on hereditary retinoblastoma, breast cancer, melanoma, and colon cancer.  In the last several years, his research has expanded to include risk reduction based on new knowledge of genetic and environmental causes of cancer.

He is vice chair for Population Sciences in Department of Adult Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, professor of clinical cancer epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. 

In recognition of his studies of the links between inherited genes and cancer risk, the American Cancer Society awarded Li the 1999 Medal of Honor in Clinical Research.  The medal is the highest honor bestowed by the organization and is awarded for outstanding contributions in clinical science.

The Maurice and Charmaine Kaplan Distinguished Lectureship in Cancer Prevention was established at UCSD Cancer Center by the Kaplans in 1997 to bring to the San Diego community world-class lectures by leaders in the field of cancer prevention. 

The Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center is one of just 41 centers in the United States to hold a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center.  As such, it ranks among the top centers in the nation providing advanced patient care, conducting basic and clinical cancer research, and serving its community through outreach and education programs. The Center's mission is to translate promising scientific discoveries into new and better options for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and the amelioration of pain.

For further information about this year’s event and to reserve a seat, please contact Christa in the Cancer Center Foundation Office, (858) 822-0175. 

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