Blanton-Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Program

The Blanton-Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Program was created in 1996 as a critical step toward our goal of eradicating ovarian cancer. Led by David M. Gershenson, M.D., the program was the nation’s first formal, comprehensive ovarian cancer research effort aimed at translating basic discoveries into improved therapies and management of the disease.

Anil K. Sood, MD Today, the program continues to lead the nation in innovative research into the causes, prevention, detection and treatment of ovarian cancer with director Anil K. Sood, M.D. Dr. Sood's reputation will help advance the program’s mission to find a cure for ovarian cancer by creating collaborative research for improving diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

The program’s goals are to develop:

A new understanding of the causes of ovarian cancer;
New methods for detecting and diagnosing ovarian cancer; and
Targeted therapies that are specific for an individual’s disease.

Laura Lee Scurlock Blanton & Sandra G. Davis

The program is named after Laura Lee Scurlock Blanton and Sandra G. Davis, whose families provided seed money, funding and a voice in the community about ovarian cancer.

Laura Lee Scurlock Blanton Mrs. Blanton lent her talents and support to the Ovarian Cancer Research Program as an advisor. She served as honorary chair for the program’s Sprint for Life 5K Run/Walk and was a lifetime member of MD Anderson’s Board of Visitors, a group of prominent volunteers who contribute their expertise and support to programs and philanthropy at MD Anderson. Mrs. Blanton led a valiant fight against ovarian cancer. She passed away on August 6, 1999, at the age of 71.

Sandra Davis Mrs. Davis battled ovarian cancer for four years. Her sweet nature and focused determination served as inspiration to accelerate efforts toward the improvement of prevention, early detection and treatment methods in the fight against ovarian cancer. Mrs. Davis passed away at the age of 49 on February 29, 1996, and left two daughters, Kimberly and Wendy. Lee Davis, her husband, donated seed money for the creation of the Ovarian Cancer Research Program and continues to serve as an advisor to the program.

The 9th International Conference on Ovarian Cancer

The International Conference on Ovarian Cancer took place in Houston, TX, December 2-3, 2011. Here are the presentations in PDF form, posted with the permission of the presenters:

Welcome
David M. Gershenson, MD

Welcome
Richard R. Barakat, MD

Screening for Ovarian Cancer in the General Population
Karen H. Lu, MD

Hereditary Ovarian Cancer
Noah D. Kauff, MD

Genetic Counseling and Testing
Molly S. Daniels, MS

Mucinous Ovarian Cancer
Michael Frumovitz, MD, MPH

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Ignace Vergote, MD

Primary Surgical Cytoreduction
Dennis S. Chi, MD

Secondary Surgical Cytoreduction
Nadeem Abu-Rustum, MD

Secondary Surgical Cytoreduction
Pedro T. Ramirez, MD

Novel Imaging for Ovarian Cancer
Homer A. Macapinlac, MD

Palliative Care for Ovarian Cancer Patients
Eduardo Bruera, MD