Dr. Zarfos studies breast cancer, particularly the unique challenges faced by African American and Black women. She investigates how other health issues can affect survival rates in breast cancer patients, showing that having multiple health problems significantly increases death risk. Additionally, her research includes exploring how factors like marital status can influence stress hormones in postmenopausal women, and she has developed new imaging techniques to better visualize blood flow in tumors, which can inform treatment effectiveness. Dr. Zarfos also examines how geographical differences affect the treatment choices available to women with early-stage breast cancer.
Key findings
African American/Black patients with three or more comorbidities were 5.65 times more likely to die from breast cancer compared to those without additional health issues.
The innovative imaging technique showed that hemoglobin levels around breast tumors decreased significantly from 255.3 to 76.9 micromol/l after chemotherapy, highlighting its potential in treatment monitoring.
In her study on breast lesions, invasive cancers had nearly double the hemoglobin concentration (119 micromol) compared to benign tumors (67 micromol), aiding in accurate cancer diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Zarfos study breast cancer?
Yes, Dr. Zarfos focuses on breast cancer, especially the outcomes for patients with existing health issues and the imaging techniques to monitor tumors.
What treatments has Dr. Zarfos researched?
Her research includes therapies for breast cancer and the effects of different surgical options, as well as innovative imaging to improve treatment monitoring.
Is Dr. Zarfos's work relevant to African American women?
Yes, she emphasizes the challenges faced by African American and Black women with breast cancer, particularly how comorbidities affect their survival rates.
What role does marital status play in Dr. Zarfos's research?
Dr. Zarfos found that marital status can influence cortisol levels in postmenopausal women, indicating that being married may help reduce stress.
How does geographical location affect breast cancer treatment?
Dr. Zarfos's study found that women in different geographical areas received varied treatment options, highlighting disparities in access to quality care.
Publications in plain English
Mortality risk from comorbidities independent of triple-negative breast cancer status: NCI-SEER-based cohort analysis.
2016
Cancer causes & control : CCC
Swede H, Sarwar A, Magge A, Braithwaite D, Cook LS +11 more
Plain English This study looked at how other health issues (comorbidities) affect the likelihood of dying from breast cancer, focusing on a group of African American/Black patients compared to white patients. It found that African American/Black patients with three or more other health issues had a much higher risk of death (5.65 times more likely) from breast cancer than those without additional health issues, while for white patients, the risk was only 1.90 times higher. This highlights that having multiple health problems can greatly impact survival, especially for African American/Black women with breast cancer.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients, especially African American/Black women with breast cancer and their doctors.
Marital status and variability in cortisol excretion in postmenopausal women.
2008
Biological psychology
Englert RC, Dauser D, Gilchrist A, Samociuk HA, Singh RJ +5 more
Plain English This study looked at how being married affects cortisol levels in postmenopausal women, which is a hormone related to stress. Researchers found that while average cortisol levels were similar between married and unmarried women, unmarried women had greater fluctuations in their cortisol levels. Specifically, married women had smaller changes from the average level, meaning marriage may help reduce stress.
Who this helps: This research benefits women, particularly postmenopausal ones, by highlighting how marriage might play a role in managing stress.
Utilizing optical tomography with ultrasound localization to image heterogeneous hemoglobin distribution in large breast cancers.
2005
Neoplasia (New York, N.Y.)
Zhu Q, Kurtzma SH, Hegde P, Tannenbaum S, Kane M +4 more
Plain English This study looked at a new imaging technique that combines ultrasound and near-infrared light to better visualize blood vessel growth in larger breast cancers. Researchers found that this method could track changes in hemoglobin distribution during chemotherapy; for one patient, hemoglobin levels around the tumor dropped significantly from 255.3 to 76.9 micromol/l after treatment. Understanding blood vessel growth in tumors is important for diagnosing and assessing how well treatment is working.
Who this helps: This helps patients with breast cancer by improving treatment monitoring.
Ultrasound-guided optical tomographic imaging of malignant and benign breast lesions: initial clinical results of 19 cases.
2003
Neoplasia (New York, N.Y.)
Zhu Q, Huang M, Chen N, Zarfos K, Jagjivan B +3 more
Plain English This study looked at a new way to differentiate between benign and malignant breast tumors using a combination of ultrasound and a technology called optical tomography, which examines blood and oxygen levels in tumors. The researchers found that invasive cancers have nearly double the hemoglobin concentration (119 micromol) compared to benign tumors (67 micromol). This method helps improve the accuracy of identifying cancer, potentially reducing unnecessary biopsies for benign conditions.
Who this helps: This benefits patients by providing clearer diagnoses and reducing the number of invasive procedures needed.
Geographical differences in primary therapy for early-stage breast cancer.
2001
Annals of surgical oncology
Gregorio DI, Kulldorff M, Barry L, Samocuik H, Zarfos K
Plain English This study looked at how women with early-stage breast cancer in Connecticut were treated with different surgical options, specifically partial mastectomy (PM), over a period from 1991 to 1995. The researchers found that about 57.7% of women received PM; however, those living near New Haven were less likely to get this treatment, while women near Norwalk were more likely to receive it. Understanding these geographical differences is important because it highlights areas where women may not have access to the best treatment options.
Who this helps: This helps patients by identifying where they may need better access to care.
Effects of acute lower limb ischemia on femoral venous efflux.
1990
Angiology
Celoria G, Zarfos K, Berman J
Plain English This study looked at what happens in the veins of the leg when blood flow is restored after a period of blockage. Researchers found that after restoring blood flow, patients experienced issues such as high acidity and elevated potassium levels, which are linked to potential health complications. Understanding these effects is important for improving treatment strategies for patients with blocked blood flow in their limbs.
Who this helps: This helps patients with leg circulation problems and doctors treating them.