Laura E. Ichikawa, MS
"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
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Biostatistics
Longitudinal data analysis
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Cancer
Biostatistics; breast cancer
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Women's Health
Biostatistics; hormonal contraception and bone density
Recent publications
Carney PA, Parikh J, Sickles EA, Feig SA, Monsees B, Bassett LW, Smith RA, Rosenberg R, Ichikawa L, Wallace J, Tran K, Miglioretti DL. Diagnostic mammography: identifying minimally acceptable interpretive performance criteria. Radiology. 2013 May;267(2):359-67. doi: 10.1148/radiol.12121216. Epub 2013 Jan 7. PubMed
Gierach GL, Ichikawa L, Kerlikowske K, Brinton LA, Farhat GN, Vacek PM, Weaver DL, Schairer C, Taplin SH, Sherman ME. Relationship between mammographic density and breast cancer death in the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2012;104(16):1218-27. Epub 2012 Aug 21. PubMed
Grafton J, Ott S, Endres J, Kratohvil C, Hubbard R, Ichikawa L, St John J, Operskalski B, Spangler L, Anderson J, Rillamas-Sun E, LaCroix A, Scholes D. Ps1-52: Charting the course: adjudicating fractures in network enrollees using the electronic medical record. Clin Med Res. 2012;10(3):165. PubMed
Rillamas-Sun E, Ichikawa L, LaCroix A, Ott S, Hubbard R, Spangler L, Scholes D. Ps2-28: The association of body composition indices and hormonal contraceptive use in adolescent and young adult women. Clin Med Res. 2012;10(3):186. PubMed
Spangler L, Grafton J, Ichikawa L, LaCroix A, Ott S, Hubbard R, Operskalski B, Anderson J, Kratohvil C, Endres J, Rillamas-Sun E, Scholes D. Ps2-29: Comparison of self-reported oral contraceptive use and automated prescription fills. Clin Med Res. 2012;10(3):186-7. PubMed
Geller BM, Ichikawa L, Miglioretti DL, Eastman D. Web-based mammography audit feedback. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2012;198(6):W562-7. PubMed
Scholes D, Hubbard R, Ichikawa LE, LaCroix AZ, Spangler L, Beasley JM, Reed S, Ott SM. Oral contraceptive use and bone density change in adolescent and young adult women: a prospective study of age, hormone dose, and discontinuation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Sep;96(9):E1380-7. Epub 2011 Jul 13. PubMed
DeMartini WB, Ichikawa L, Yankaskas BC, Buist D, Kerlikowske K, Geller B, Onega T, Rosenberg RD, Lehman CD. Breast MRI in community practice: equipment and imaging techniques at facilities in the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium. J Am Coll Radiol. 2010;7(11):878-84. PubMed
Linde JA, Simon GE, Ludman EJ, Ichikawa LE, Operskalski BH, Arterburn D, Rohde P, Finch EA, Jeffery RW. A randomized controlled trial of behavioral weight loss treatment versus combined weight loss/depression treatment among women with comorbid obesity and depression. Ann Behav Med. 2011 Feb;41(1):119-30. Epub 2010 Sep 28. PubMed
Sherman KJ, Cherkin DC, Ichikawa L, Avins AL, Delaney K, Barlow WE, Khalsa PS, Deyo RA. Treatment expectations and preferences as predictors of outcome of acupuncture for chronic back pain. Spine. 2010 Jul 1;35(15):1471-7. Epub 2010 Jun 8. PubMed
Research
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
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
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
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.
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