February 2005

Advances in Uterine Leiomyoma Research: 2nd NIH International Congress

WHAT: The National Institutes of Health will host "Advances in Uterine Leiomyoma Research: 2nd NIH International Congress" on February 24 – 25. This conference will bring together researchers working in the fields of biomedicine, epidemiology, basic research, therapeutics, and translational medicine to foster an exchange of scientific information among members of the uterine leiomyoma (fibroids) research and health care communities. Fibroids are the most common gynecologic neoplasm in women of reproductive age and the leading cause of hysterectomy in the United States. Topics to be covered include Clinical Experiences and Therapeutic Strategies, Epidemiology, Clinical Trials, Pathogenesis of Smooth Muscle Tumors, and Molecular and Genetics Characteristics.

WHEN: February 24-25, 2005

WHERE: Natcher Conference Center, National Institutes of Health Bethesda, MD 20892

WHO: This conference will be co-chaired by Dr. Vivian Pinn, Associate Director for Women's Health and Director, Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH), NIH and Dr. Kenneth Olden, Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH. Program co-chairs include Dr. J. Carl Barrett, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Drs. Estella Parrott and James Segars, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), and Dr. Barbara J. Davis, AstraZeneca. Participants will represent academia, medical centers, government, industry, and advocacy groups.

NOTE TO EDITORS: This congress is a joint effort within the Department of Health and Human Services, including the NIH ORWH, NIEHS, NICHD, NCI, National Institute of Biometry and Biomedical Sciences (NIBIB), National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), and the following DHHS entities: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Research and Services Administration (HRSA), Office of Women's Health, Office of the Secretary (OWH), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).

For more information or to register, please visit http://www4.od.nih.gov/orwh/ or call (301) 402-1770.