BCSC’s Dr. Diana Miglioretti Honored with National Award for Translational Work on Breast Cancer Screening
BCSC investigator, Dr. Diana Miglioretti, PhD, was awarded the Distinguished Investigator Award from the Association of Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS).
BCSC investigator, Dr. Diana Miglioretti, PhD, was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Investigator Award from the Association of Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS). She was nominated under the award’s “Translation into Public Benefit and Policy” category, which recognizes achievement in applying translational research findings into effective public policies that promote health or implementation and dissemination of translational solutions. Miglioretti was scheduled to receive the award at the Translational Science 2020 conference in Washington, DC, on April 15. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the annual meeting met virtually.
“I am thrilled and honored to receive this award,” Miglioretti told UC Davis Newsroom staff. “This award acknowledges the importance and impact of the research I am conducting with my colleagues in the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium to develop more effective breast cancer screening strategies.”
Dr. Miglioretti’s research focuses on improving the effectiveness of breast cancer screening by taking a more personalized approach that considers both the potential benefits and harms. To date, this work has influenced national screening guidelines. For example, annual screening used to be recommended for all women starting at age 40. Now, the US Preventive Services Task Force and American Cancer Society suggest women in their 40s may elect to go for a screening if they place a higher value on the potential benefits than on potential harm of taking this step. Also, instead of annual screening, women are advised to get a screening every other year. This greatly reduces the potential harms from screening while maintaining most of the benefits. Moreover, the woman’s breast density is now a consideration when deciding if she might benefit from supplemental screening.
“When I started this work, breast cancer screening guidelines took a one-size-fits all-approach for women, just considering their age,” Miglioretti said. “I am very excited that my research has impacted these guidelines and resulted in some changes.”
Read the official announcement from Dr. Miglioretti’s home institution, University of California, Davis: https://health.ucdavis.edu/health-news/newsroom/diana-miglioretti-honored-with-national-award-for-her-translational-work-on-breast-cancer-screening/2020/04
Watch the video.
Posted by: Diana Miglioretti, PhD