Dr. Jenison studies various aspects of gynecological cancers, with a specific emphasis on endometrial and cervical cancers. He investigates how genetic factors contribute to cancer susceptibility in women diagnosed with endometrial cancer, particularly through the use of multigene panel testing. He also explores the effects of lifestyle factors, such as exercise, on the health and well-being of endometrial cancer survivors. Additionally, Dr. Jenison examines the relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cancer progression, as well as the practicality of monitoring protein levels for cancer tracking and diagnosis, including CA-125 levels in ovarian cancer and endometriosis.
Key findings
In a study of 961 women with newly diagnosed endometrial cancer, 10.1% were found to have genetic mutations and 3% were identified as having Lynch syndrome.
Among endometrial cancer survivors, 69.8% of those who exercised regularly reported no diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure, compared to 49.2% of non-exercisers.
In a study of adenocarcinoma of the cervical stump, women at stage IB survived an average of 40 months, while those at stages II and III survived only 17 months, suggesting a need for improved treatments.
Women with endometriosis showed significantly higher average blood CA-125 levels compared to those without the condition, indicating blood tests can be reliable for diagnosis.
A radioimmunoassay study found that 82% of women with ovarian cancer had high CA-125 levels, highlighting its usefulness in monitoring treatment effectiveness.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Jenison study endometrial cancer?
Yes, Dr. Jenison focuses on endometrial cancer, particularly genetic testing and lifestyle factors that affect survivors.
What treatments has Dr. Jenison researched?
He has researched the effectiveness of genetic testing for cancer susceptibility and monitoring biomarkers like CA-125 for treatment tracking.
Is Dr. Jenison's work relevant to cervical cancer patients?
Yes, his research includes studies on cervical cancer and the role of HPV in disease progression, as well as treatment outcomes for specific types.
How does exercise impact endometrial cancer survivors?
Dr. Jenison's research indicates that exercise can significantly benefit endometrial cancer survivors, contributing to better overall health and lower risk of other diseases.
What are CA-125 levels and why are they important?
CA-125 is a protein often elevated in women with ovarian cancer; monitoring its levels can help doctors assess how well treatment is working.
Publications in plain English
Up-Front Multigene Panel Testing for Cancer Susceptibility in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Endometrial Cancer: A Multicenter Prospective Study.
2021
JCO precision oncology
Levine MD, Pearlman R, Hampel H, Cosgrove C, Cohn D +15 more
Plain English This study looked at the effectiveness of a genetic test called multigene panel testing (MGPT) for women recently diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Out of 961 participants, 10.1% had genetic mutations related to cancer susceptibility, and 3% were found to have Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition that increases cancer risk. The findings suggest that this upfront testing could help identify women at higher risk and guide their treatment and prevention strategies.
Who this helps: This benefits women with endometrial cancer and their healthcare providers.
Endometrial cancer survivors' assessment of the benefits of exercise.
2012
Gynecologic oncology
Lukowski J, Gil KM, Jenison E, Hopkins M, Basen-Engquist K
Plain English Researchers studied how women who survived endometrial cancer view the benefits of exercise. They found that 41% of the women had been exercising regularly for over six months. Exercisers had a lower average body mass index (BMI) of 31.6 compared to 37.3 for non-exercisers, and many exercisers (69.8%) reported not having diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure, versus 49.2% of non-exercisers. This matters because focusing on how exercise can improve physical and emotional well-being may encourage more women to become active, which could reduce their health risks after cancer treatment.
Who this helps: This helps endometrial cancer survivors looking to improve their health.
Differences in the integration pattern and episomal forms of human papillomavirus type 16 DNA found within an invasive cervical neoplasm and its metastasis.
1992
Virology
Galehouse D, Jenison E, DeLucia A
Plain English This study looked at how human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 DNA behaves in different tumor sites in a woman with cervical cancer. Researchers found that the main tumor in the cervix had a lot of different forms of HPV DNA, while the metastatic tumor in the vagina had less of the free viral DNA and a changed structure. This shows that as the cancer spreads, the characteristics of the HPV DNA can change significantly, which may affect how the cancer develops.
Who this helps: This information can benefit doctors and researchers working to better understand cervical cancer and its link to HPV.
Goodman HM, Niloff JM, Buttlar CA, Welch WR, Marck A +4 more
Plain English This study focused on 16 women diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the cervical stump over 15 years. On average, women in the early stage (stage IB) survived for 40 months, while those with more advanced stages (II and III) survived for only 17 months, showing significantly worse outcomes compared to other types of cervical cancer. These findings highlight the need for better treatment strategies since many patients are not responding well to current therapies.
Who this helps: This information is valuable for doctors treating patients with cervical cancer, particularly those with adenocarcinoma of the cervical stump.
Serum and peritoneal lavage fluid CA-125 levels in endometriosis.
1988
Fertility and sterility
Moretuzzo RW, DiLauro S, Jenison E, Chen SL, Reindollar RH +1 more
Plain English This study looked at the levels of a protein called CA-125 in the blood and in fluid from the abdominal cavity of women with endometriosis compared to women without the condition. The researchers found that women with endometriosis had higher average blood levels of CA-125, but the fluid from the abdomen did not show a clear difference between the two groups. Specifically, the average serum CA-125 levels were significantly elevated in the endometriosis group, highlighting how blood tests can be more reliable for diagnosing this condition.
Who this helps: This helps patients with endometriosis by providing clearer diagnostic options.
A radioimmunoassay using a monoclonal antibody to monitor the course of epithelial ovarian cancer.
1983
The New England journal of medicine
Bast RC, Klug TL, St John E, Jenison E, Niloff JM +7 more
Plain English This study focused on a new test that uses a specific antibody to track a substance called CA 125 in blood, which is often found in women with ovarian cancer. The research revealed that 82% of women with ovarian cancer had high levels of CA 125, while only about 1% of healthy individuals did. Monitoring CA 125 levels can help doctors see how well treatment is working for patients over time.
Who this helps: This helps patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and their doctors.