U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell of UNited States Senate

Biography:

Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee On Commerce, Science and Transportation and lead following subcommittees:

Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation
Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband
Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security
Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries, Climate Change, and Manufacturig
Subcommittee on Space and Science
Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports
Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade, and Export Promotion

Senator Maria Cantwell has made significant contributions to health and science. She strongly advocates for healthcare access and affordability for all Americans, expanded Medicaid coverage, addressed healthcare disparities, and worked to lower prescription drug costs and healthcare pricing. Senator Cantwell supports biomedical research, promotes scientific innovation, and finds cures for diseases. She has supported funding for programs that strengthen disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and response systems. Senator Cantwell supports STEM education, fostering innovation and ensuring a skilled workforce. Her work strengthens the critical intersection between health, science, and public policy.

Dr. David Dale of UW Medicine

Join us for an insightful interview as we delve into the realm of cancer prevention, exploring evidence-based strategies that empower individuals to proactively reduce their cancer risks. Our expert guests will shed light on the latest scientific advancements and discuss practical steps that can be taken to mitigate this pervasive disease. From the impact of nutrition and exercise to the significance of early detection and regular screenings, this interview aims to equip participants with valuable knowledge and actionable insights in the fight against cancer.

Biography:

Dr. Dale's pioneering research on the development of white blood cell growth factors has saved the lives of thousands of cancer patients worldwide. His work has not only prevented infections but also allowed the completion of treatments. Recently, Dr. Dale's laboratory has achieved a significant breakthrough in cancer research, demonstrating the potential of using Molecular Knife do gene editing to cut out cancer-causing gene mutations, particularly in leukemia. This research has opened up new avenues for treatment and prevention, offering hope to millions of patients and their families.  

Dr. Heather Greenlee of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Biography:

Dr. Greenlee received a degree in naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University in 2001. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in cancer prevention at Fred Hutch and received a master’s in public health from UW in 2003. She then completed a fellowship in cancer prevention and control and earned a Ph.D. in epidemiology from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in 2008. She was a member of the epidemiology faculty at Columbia before joining Fred Hutch in 2017.

 In 2018, Dr.Greenlee was recognized by the Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment (CARE) Fund’s inaugural Distinguished ResearchersProgram. In 2011, she received an Outstanding Service Award in Leadership from the Society for Integrative Oncology. She is the past president of the SIO and an active member of SWOG, one of the National Cancer Institute’s clinical trial networks.

Dr. Greenlee’s research focuses on cancer prevention and control, cancer survivorship, and obesity and cancer. She was recruited to Fred Hutch in 2017 to develop a research program on cancer and obesity and to launch an integrative medicine program. She studies the effects of dietary change, physical activity and weight loss on cancer outcomes, and she designs lifestyle interventions to reduce cancer risk and better the life of cancer survivors, particularly in underserved populations.

Dr. Greenlee also studies the use of integrative or complementary therapies such as acupuncture, massage, botanicals, vitamins/minerals and mind-body approaches to improve cancer symptoms, alleviate treatment side effects, and improve survivors’ quality of life.

In addition to serving as co-chair of a national group authoring new guidelines on the use of integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment, Dr. Greenlee recently co-authored the first large, randomized trial showing acupuncture relieves joint pain caused by hormone-suppressing drugs in early-stage breast cancer patients.

Dr. Greenlee’s ongoing projects include a dietary and physical activity intervention among Latina breast cancer survivors; a study looking at predictors of cardiovascular disease in breast cancer survivors; and a pilot project examining the association between physical activity, the gut microbiome and risk of colorectal cancer.