Ann Coker to Give Presentation on Link Between Violence Against Women and Cancer

Ann Coker, professor in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and Verizon Wireless Endowed Chair in the UK Center for Research on Violence Against Women (CRVAW), will host a presentation this Tuesday on the link between violence against women and cancer. The presentation, titled “Violence against women and cancer incidence, care and recovery,” will be held at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, in room 263 of the Medical College Building (MC263). Violence against women is defined as sexual assaults or sexual abuse during childhood, and intimate partner physical, sexual or psychological abuse. An emerging body of research suggests that such violence may increase a woman’s risk of specific forms of cancer. Further, if cancer does develop, women who have experienced violence do not fare as well as those never experiencing violence. Specific interfering, controlling and unsupportive partner behaviors have been linked to delays in cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Much of this research has been conducted at UK using the Kentucky Cancer Registry. For more information, please contact the center at CRVAW@uky.edu or 859-257-2737.