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Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS @issakamd.bsky.social · 29d

We need creative solutions to improve follow-up after cancer screening. We previously found that a rideshare intervention was safe and acceptable.

In this study we found it is also cost-saving. Providing strong evidence for its ongoing use.

CC: @fredhutch.bsky.social & @uwmedicine.bsky.social

JAMA Network Open @jamanetworkopen.com · Sep 4

A #rideshare intervention costing $100 per ride for patients with abnormal fecal immunochemical test results was cost-effective, saving $330,587 and gaining 24.9 life-years per 1,000 people screened through early detection and #cancer prevention. ja.ma/3I7HYea

Four graphs showing colorectal cancer and death rates vs. adherence, categorized by screening start age (45, 55, 65, 70). Graphs A & C show decreasing cases/deaths with increased adherence, B & D show increased case/death prevention with adherence.

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Reposted by Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS

Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · Aug 28

Thank you @murray.senate.gov for joining the chorus demanding RFK be fired. www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murr...

Now we need action!
@sanders.senate.gov @vanhollen.senate.gov @alsobrooks.senate.gov @markwarner.bsky.social

Senator Murray Calls for Immediate Firing of RFK Jr., Commends CDC Director Monarez’s Stand for Science and Public Health - Senator Patty Murray

Senator Murray: “If there are any adults left in the White House, it’s well past time they face reality… We cannot let RFK Jr. burn what’s left of the CDC and our other critical health agencies to the...

www.murray.senate.gov

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Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS @issakamd.bsky.social · Aug 1

Thank you @usha.bsky.social & colleagues at @statnews.com for always speaking truth to power! ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

Terminating or not funding health disparities research is not the path to making Americans healthier.

Denying scientists funding by terminating grants or opportunities does not make it a meritocracy.

Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · Aug 1

NEW: Massive and confusing inconsistencies at NIH. New director says health disparities research is critical yet grants are being cut left and right. With @aniloza.bsky.social and @ericboodman.bsky.social. (Also my last story for STAT. 😢) www.statnews.com/2025/08/01/n...

Jay Bhattacharya once studied health disparities. As NIH director, he’s allowed such research to wither

Jay Bhattacharya’s tenure as NIH director has seen health disparities research swept up in the Trump administration’s attack on DEI

www.statnews.com

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Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS @issakamd.bsky.social · Jul 30

We’re still in the business of improving #colorectalcancer screening!

Congrats to @uwmedicine.bsky.social #GI fellow #NehaNaidoo for leading this manuscript and thanks to @amcollegegastro.bsky.social for publishing our work!

American College of Gastroenterology @amcollegegastro.bsky.social · Jul 30

Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) Completion by Instruction Type: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing QR-Code linked Video to Pictorial Instructions
Naidoo, et al.

📕 doi.org/10.14309/ajg.0000000000003637

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Reposted by Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS

rotonyac.bsky.social @rotonyac.bsky.social · Jul 30

Unwavering support. A celebration of excellence for Black women. Undeniable forces of change unifying to change the world of medicine. 👩🏽‍⚕️👩🏾‍⚕️👩🏿‍⚕️ #Blackwomeninmedicine #ABGHNEXUS25 #Blackwomeninhealthcare bit.ly/ABGHNEXUS25

NEXUS 2025 hosted on Whova

October 3 – 5, 2025, New York, NY

bit.ly

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Reposted by Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS

Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · Jul 30

Today #NIH leadership were told no funds can go out for research project grants, R&D contracts or training grants.

We have just a couple weeks to get funds out the door before Russel Vought attempts a #PocketRescission on Aug 15.

Even if this ends up being temporary, it’s time we don’t have.

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Reposted by Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS

Hillary Rodham Clinton @hillaryclinton.bsky.social · Jul 28

Earlier this month, Flint, Michigan finished replacing its lead pipes to ensure clean drinking water for the community.

Congratulations to the residents, activists, and public servants who made this happen. www.nrdc.org/press-releas...

Flint Finishes Lead Pipe Replacement in Historic Milestone

A decade after lead contaminated water was found in Flint's water system, the legal battle to replace lead water pipes is finished, a landmark milestone for a city defined by its dangerous water.

www.nrdc.org

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Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS @issakamd.bsky.social · Jul 28

Thanks for helping spread the word.

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Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS @issakamd.bsky.social · Jul 28

I am one of many scientists who has been caught in this rollercoaster.

Judge Young found the current gov’t actions against specific scientists arbitrary and capricious and said that he had never seen government racial discrimination like this in his 40 years on the bench.

This has to end!

Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · Jul 27

On Thursday, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to grant them a stay on the Massachusetts vs Kennedy/ APHA vs NIH ruling. This decision will occur on the shadow docket, with no formal hearing.

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Reposted by Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS

Simon Rosenberg @simonwdc.bsky.social · Jul 25

I think it's time for us to view Kennedy's actions as an attack not just on our public health but the country itself. He's an incredible monster.

Reuters @reuters.com · Jul 25

Health Secretary Kennedy to oust advisory panel on cancer screenings, HIV prevention drugs, WSJ reports reut.rs/452or6u

Health Secretary Kennedy to oust advisory panel on cancer screenings, HIV prevention drugs, WSJ reports

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is planning to remove all the members of an advisory panel that determines what cancer screenings and other preventive health measures insurers must cover, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

reut.rs

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Reposted by Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS

Fred Hutch @fredhutch.org · Jul 25

Congrats to Fred Hutch gastroenterologist and researcher @issakamd.bsky.social on being named a @reignfc.com Legend! The Legends Campaign honors women for their extraordinary contributions to our community in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. www.reignfc.com/news/seattle...

Seattle Reign FC Legend: Dr. Rachel Issaka – Gastroenterologist, Professor and Researcher — Seattle Reign FC

The Legends Campaign, a partnership between Seattle Reign FC and Starbucks, honors women for their extraordinary contributions to our community in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Prior to Seattle Re...

www.reignfc.com

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Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS @issakamd.bsky.social · May 10

This is a beauty!

Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS @issakamd.bsky.social · May 5

Our team showed up and showed out!

Congratulations to #AmandaKimura, #MarinaHannah & #PranushaAtuluru on fantastic poster presentations today #DDW2025. #AGAGastroSquad

CC: @fredhutch.bsky.social @uwmedicine.bsky.social @uwdeptmedicine.bsky.social @uwsom-wwami.bsky.social

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Reposted by Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS

American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) @amergastroassn.bsky.social · May 3

Nothing like a blender bike battle! Bring your #AGAGastroSquad to AGA Central for a little friendly competition at #DDW2025. Bonus: you get a gut friendly smoothie 🥤 at the end! @issakamd.bsky.social

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Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS @issakamd.bsky.social · May 2

#DDW20205 is here! Our lab is honored to have several members participating in vital discussions about how to improve digestive health.

If you're here in San Diego, drop by to connect with us and learn more about what we've been up to!

@amergastroassn.bsky.social

#AGAGastroSquad #IssakaLab

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Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS @issakamd.bsky.social · Apr 9

Leadership matters, now more than ever!

I’m incredibly proud of #LorenTaylor and his Oakland mayoral run!

From the beginning, he has been the underdog. His passion has remained steadfast and his conviction, undeterred!

This is his love letter to Oakland.

Get out and #vote! #April15th

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Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS @issakamd.bsky.social · Apr 4

Being able to admit when you’re wrong is really not that difficult. 🤦🏾‍♀️

Reposted by Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS

ACLU @aclu.org · Apr 2

BREAKING: We're suing the National Institutes of Health over their politically-motivated purge of research grants.

This is an unlawful attack on scientific progress that puts lives at risk.

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Reposted by Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute @danafarber.bsky.social · Mar 31

Save the date for our 12th Annual Cancer Disparities Research Symposium with keynote speaker Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS (@issakamd.bsky.social).

Register here: bit.ly/4hBo9IQ

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Reposted by Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS

Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD @vvsmider.bsky.social · Mar 29

#cancer survivors are fighters. I’ll fight for them however I can. Doge and the administration are dismantling cancer research. This article by a survivor, and grant reviewer for the CDMRP, which has just been cut, tells it like it is.

www.knoxnews.com/story/opinio...

Cancer research funding has been thrown onto the bonfire of cruelty | Opinion

Every dollar of federal-funded research generates an additional $2.56 in economic activity. Because of the cuts by DOGE, people are going to die.

www.knoxnews.com

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Reposted by Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS

Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · Mar 28

Big win for the Long Covid community -- grants restored. Also hearing other cancelled biomedical grants are getting restored. Maybe raising a ruckus works? Via @thesicktimes.bsky.social @betsyladyzhets.bsky.social thesicktimes.org/2025/03/28/u...

UPDATE: RECOVER Long COVID pathobiology grants restored - The Sick Times

Long COVID research grants from the National Institutes of Health’s RECOVER program will be restored following news stories about their abrupt cancellations and advocacy to restore the funding, accord...

thesicktimes.org

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Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS @issakamd.bsky.social · Mar 28

Exciting news! Looking forward to digging into the study details.

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Reposted by Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS

Rob Brierley @robbrierley.bsky.social · Mar 28

Results from COLONPREV out now!

10-year colorectal cancer mortality in FIT group non-inferior to that in colonoscopy group (0·22% vs 0·24%; p for non-inferiority=0·0005)

Participation in any form of screening higher in FIT group (39·9% vs 31·8%)

@oncoalert.bsky.social #GastroSky #OncSky #MedSky

The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology @lancetgastrohep.bsky.social · Mar 28

New at @thelancet.bsky.social - Effect of invitation to colonoscopy versus faecal immunochemical test screening on colorectal cancer mortality (COLONPREV): a pragmatic, randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial

www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

#GastroSky #MedSky #OncSky

Effect of invitation to colonoscopy versus faecal immunochemical test screening on colorectal cancer mortality (COLONPREV): a pragmatic, randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial

Participation in screening was higher among individuals invited to faecal immunochemical test screening than colonoscopy screening. On the basis of participation observed in this study, a faecal immun...

www.thelancet.com

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Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS @issakamd.bsky.social · Mar 27

🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️

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