2019 TTT Retreat Video: Coming Soon!

I'm still basking in the magic that happens each year at this wonderful retreat where women from NE come to gather. It doesn't matter that some of us come for the first time because by the end of our time together, we have deepened our bonds with each other.

It's hard to put into words just how special this connection is except to say that for 4 nights/5 days, we are free to express ourselves in unguarded ways. We talk about the hard stuff, we laugh, we cry, we play, we luxuriate in the generous services offered to us by skilled, loving practitioners who provide us with massage, facials, reflexology, yoga, morning walks, indoor rock climbing, archery, special arts/crafts - well I hope you get the picture.

Eva Kasell, our photographer, lovingly and unobtrusively captures all of this so stay tuned for a video that will be posted as well as photos of our time together.

There just aren't words to adequately thank Anne Tonachel, Sue Joanis and Christine Barilone and all the women who volunteered their time and services, not to mention all the people and organizations that donated gifts. Not only do we have memories to sustain us but we also have a loving sisterhood to help us on our journeys.

Clear Cell Ovarian Cancer and Endometriosis

This article was published by Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) which funded the project. A link to the original research article can be found here.

(September 10, 2019) Ovarian clear-cell carcinoma is an aggressive form of ovarian cancer.  Endometriosis is derived from the uterine endometrium and is a known risk factor for ovarian clear-cell carcinoma.  Evidence supports ovarian clear-cell origins in the uterine endometrium.   It has been known for years that co-occurring cellular mutations are observed in ovarian clear-cell carcinoma, but the consequences of these (ARID1A and PIK3CA) mutations in the endometrial epithelium were previously unknown.

In a recent article in the journal Nature Communications, Dr. Ronald Chandler’s lab uncovered a new role for specific mutations in a cellular process called collective epithelial cell migration.  Collective migration describes the movement of groups of cells.  Dr. Chandler’s lab provides evidence that collective migration allows abnormal cells to spread to outer areas within the female reproductive tract.  His lab’s findings help explain why these mutations are observed in ovarian clear-cell carcinoma and other diseases or cancers derived from the endometrial epithelium, including endometriosis.

Dr. Chandler’s research supports the idea that, to understand the causes of ovarian cancer, researchers should focus their attention on non-ovarian tissues in the female reproductive tract, such as the fallopian tubes and uterine endometrium, because mutations alone do not explain all aspects of the disease.

More information can be found in the original Nature Communications article.