Laura E. Ichikawa, MS

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"KPWHRI provides a great opportunity to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and provide biostatistical support to improve patient health."

Laura E. Ichikawa, MS

Principal Collaborative Biostatistician, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute

Biography

With more than 25 years at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI), Laura Ichikawa, MS, is known for her analytical skills, attention to detail regarding study design and data management, and expertise in data visualization. Her experience includes observational studies, randomized controlled trials, case-control studies, and multisite analyses.

Laura is primarily focused on cancer research and women’s health. She’s involved in 2 large, multisite National Cancer Institute-funded projects: the Statistical Coordinating Center for the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC) and a colorectal research site for Population-based Research to Optimize the Screening Process (PROSPR). Much of her work with the BCSC has been evaluating mammography performance for both screening and surveillance while also examining use of screening MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and ultrasound. Laura also participated in collaborative research through the Cancer Research Network, including a widely publicized 2004 study that linked not having screening mammograms to late-stage breast cancer. She is excited to continue her work in cancer research, including in screening, treatment, surveillance, and survival.

Laura’s earlier research with retired KPWHRI Senior Investigator Delia Scholes, PhD, included studies examining bone loss associated with the injectable hormonal contraceptive Depo-Provera in 2002 and 2005 and oral contraceptives in 2011.

Laura is a member of the American Statistical Association and its Puget Sound chapter.

Research interests and experience

  • Biostatistics

    Longitudinal data analysis

  • Cancer

    Biostatistics; breast cancer

  • Women's Health

    Biostatistics; hormonal contraception and bone density

Recent publications

Scholes D, LaCroix AZ, Ichikawa LE, Barlow WE, Ott SM. The association between depot medroxyprogesterone acetate contraception and bone mineral density in adolescent women. Contraception. 2004;69(2):99-104. PubMed

Reed SD, Scholes D, LaCroix AZ, Ichikawa LE, Barlow WE, Ott SM. Longitudinal changes in bone density in relation to oral contraceptive use. Contraception. 2003;68(3):177-82. PubMed

Scholes D, McBride CM, Grothaus L, Civic D, Ichikawa LE, Fish LJ, Yarnall KS. A tailored minimal self-help intervention to promote condom use in young women: results from a randomized trial. AIDS. 2003;17(10):1547-1556. PubMed

Ott SM, LaCroix AZ, Ichikawa LE, Scholes D, Barlow WE. Effect of low-dose thiazide diuretics on plasma lipids: results from a double-blind, randomized clinical trial in older men and women.  J Am Geriatr Soc. 2003;51(3):340-347. PubMed

Civic D, Scholes D, Ichikawa L, Grothaus L, McBride CM, Yarnall KS, Fish L. Ineffective use of condoms among young women in managed care.  AIDS Care. 2002;14(6):779-788. PubMed

Scholes D, LaCroix AZ, Ichikawa LE, Barlow WE, Ott SM. Injectable hormone contraception and bone density: results from a prospective study. Epidemiology. 2002;13(5):581-7. PubMed

Taplin SH, Ichikawa L, Kerlikowske K, Ernster V, Rosenberg R, Yankaskas B, Carney P, Geller B, Urban N, Dignan M, Barlow WE, Ballard-Barbash R. Concordance of BI-RADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) assessments and management recommendations in screening mammography. Radiology. 2002;222:529-535. PubMed

Ott SM, Scholes D, LaCroix AZ, Ichikawa LE, Yoshida CK, Barlow WE. Effects of contraceptive use on bone biochemical markers in young women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001;86(1):179-85. PubMed

LaCroix AZ, Ott SM, Ichikawa L, Scholes D, Barlow WE. Low-dose hydrochlorothiazide and preservation of bone mineral density in older adults. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 2000;133(7):516-26. PubMed

Civic D, Scholes D, Ichikawa L, LaCroix AZ, Yoshida CK, Ott SM, Barlow WE. Depressive symptoms in users and non-users of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate. Contraception. 2000;61(6):385-90. PubMed

 

Research

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IUD perforation: Rare but important to know about

New study results in more precise language in the federally mandated warning about this possibility.

cancer research

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Using breast MRI after cancer may lead to unneeded biopsies

A Kaiser Permanente-led BCSC study is among the largest ever to evaluate adding MRI surveillance for breast cancer survivors.

cancer screening

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No need to follow up simple ovarian cysts

New KPWHRI study shows that women with simple cysts are not at increased risk of ovarian cancer.

aging & geriatrics

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Study finds various treatments can reduce vaginal discomfort from sex

Dr. Katherine Newton co-wrote JAMA Internal Medicine paper comparing vaginal estrogen, moisturizer, and placebo gel.