SCIENTIFIC REPORT 2004 - Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

C A N C E R P R E V E N T I O N A N D C O N T R O L P R O G R A M
Pereira, DB, Antoni, MH, Danielson, A, Simon,
T, Efantis-Potter, J, Carver, CS, Duran, RE,
Ironson, G, Klimas, N, and O’Sullivan, MJ. Life
stress and cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions
in women with human papillomavirus and
human immunodeficiency virus. Psychosomatic
Medicine 65:427-34, 2003.
Penedo, FJ, Gonzalez, JS, Davis, C, Dahn, J,
Antoni, MH, Ironson, G, Malow, R, and
Schneiderman, N. Coping and Psychological
Distress Among Symptomatic HIV+ Men Who
Have Sex With Men. Annals of Behavioral Medicine
25:203-13, 2003.
HIGHLIGHTS/DISCOVERIES
• Identified in her long-term survivorship studies
a number of cognitive appraisal, emotional expression,
and spiritual-related predictors that
characterize HIV and cancer populations.
• Used this information to relate these psychosocial
characteristics to relevant physiological
indicators (e.g., cortisol and natural killer cell
toxicity (NKCC)) that may explain their association
with extended survival and optimal
health outcomes.
ROBERT S. KIRSNER, M.D.
Associate Professor of Dermatology and
Cutaneous Surgery
DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH
Dr. Kirsner’s research interests encompass skin
cancer, health services research, and epidemiology.
Specifically, he focuses on primary and
secondary prevention of skin cancer. With regard
to primary prevention efforts, his laboratory is
evaluating the policies and procedures in the Miami-Dade
County school system related to sun
protection and studying the attitudes and behaviors
of Hispanic students toward skin cancer prevention.
His research will evaluate predictors of a
school-based education program aimed at skin
cancer education. Dr. Kirsner’s research efforts
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regarding secondary prevention is aimed at determining
prevalence of screening being performed
in various settings, patient preferences regarding
screening, and predictors of when skin cancer
screening will occur. Dr. Kirsner’s work in health
services research is aimed at determining the role
of a health care delivery system for outcomes for
skin cancer and other screenable cancers such as
breast, colon, and cervical cancer. Researchers in
this laboratory also are evaluating the effect of
poverty and access to cancer-related services on
cancer outcomes. Finally, Dr. Kirsner’s interest in
epidemiology has focused on the role of ultraviolet
light in the development and mortality of skin
cancer and lymphoma.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2002
Kirsner, RS , Fastenau, J, Falabella, A, Valencia, I,
Long, R, and Eaglstein, WH. Clinical and economic
outcomes with graftskin for hard-to-heal
venous leg ulcers: a single-center experience. Dermatologic
Surgery 28:81-82, 2002.
Federman, DG, Kravetz, JD, and Kirsner, RS .
Skin cancer screening by dermatologists: prevalence
and barriers. Journal of the American Academy
of Dermatology 46:710-14, 2002.
Federman, DG and Kirsner, RS . The patient
with skin disease: an approach for nondermatologists.
Ostomy/Wound Management 48:22-8;
quiz 29-30, 2002.
Harrison-Balestra, C, Eaglstein, WH, Falabela,
AF, and Kirsner, RS . Recombinant human platelet-derived
growth factor for refractory nondiabetic
ulcers: a retrospective series. Dermatologic
Surgery 28:755-59; discussion 759-60, 2002.
Sullivan, TP, Elgart, GW, and Kirsner, RS . Pemphigus
and smoking. International Journal of
Dermatology 41:528-30, 2002.
Sullivan, TP and Kirsner, RS . Surgical pearl:
punch technique to improve granulation over
exposed tendons in chronic wounds. Journal of
the American Academy of Dermatology 47:439-
40, 2002.
UM/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Scientific Report 2004