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.
Ms. Ichikawa is primarily focused on breast cancer and women’s health. She is involved in two 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 and use of other imaging modalities such as MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, especially after a breast cancer diagnosis. Ms. Ichikawa 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. More recently, this work examined the association of chemotherapy use with peripheral neuropathy. Ms. Ichikawa is excited to continue her work in breast cancer research, including in screening, treatment, surveillance, and survival.
Ms. Ichikawa's research with retired KPWHRI Senior Investigator Delia Scholes, PhD, includes studies examining bone loss associated with the injectable hormonal contraceptive Depo-Provera in 2002 and 2005 and oral contraceptives in 2011. She continues to work in areas of women’s health and contraceptive methods.
Ms. Ichikawa is a member of the American Statistical Association and its Puget Sound chapter.
Longitudinal data analysis
Biostatistics; breast cancer
Biostatistics; hormonal contraception and bone density
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
Scholes D, Lacroix AZ, Ott SM, Ichikawa LE, Barlow WE. Bone mineral density in women using depot medroxyprogesterone acetate for contraception. Obstet Gynecol. 1999;93(2):233-8. PubMed
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