Laura E. Ichikawa, MS
Senior Biostatistician
206-287-2395
ichikawa.l@ghc.org
Recent publications
Research interests and experience
- Biostatistics: longitudinal data analysis
- Cancer control: biostatistics; breast cancer
- Women's health: biostatistics; hormonal contraception and bone density
One of the Institute's most seasoned biostatisticians, Laura Ichikawa is known for devoting thorough attention to all aspects of study design and data management. She contributes not only her expert analytical skills, but also a unique awareness of the big picture.
Ms. Ichikawa's extensive experience includes observational studies, randomized controlled trials, case-control studies, and multi-site analyses. Her research is primarily focused on breast cancer and bone health. She is a key member of the Group Health Breast Cancer Surveillance Project, one of five sites participating in the National Cancer Institute's Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium. She also participated in collaborative research through the HMO Cancer Research Network, including a publicized 2004 study linking not having screening mammograms to late-stage breast cancer. Ms. Ichikawa is excited to continue her work in breast cancer research, including screening, treatment, and survival.
Ms. Ichikawa's research with Group Health Research Institute (GHRI) Senior Investigator Delia Scholes, PhD, on links between the injectable hormonal contraceptive Depo-Provera and bone density loss, made news in 2002 and 2005. Her work on bone health with Scholes continues with a new study of bone density changes occurring in adolescent and young women using oral contraceptives.
Ms. Ichikawa enthusiastically mentors biostatistics students at the University of Washington. She is a member of the American Statistical Association (ASA) and its Puget Sound chapter.
Related information:
- Breast Cancer Surveillance Project
- Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium
- HMO Cancer Research Network
- American Statistical Association (ASA)
Recent publications
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
Ichikawa LE, Barlow WE, Anderson ML, Taplin SH, Geller BM, Brenner RJ. Time trends in radiologists' interpretive performance at screening mammography from the community-based Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium, 1996-2004. Radiology. 2010 Jul;256(1):74-82. Epub 2010 May 26. PubMed
Phipps AI, Ichikawa L, Bowles EJ, Carney PA, Kerlikowske K, Miglioretti DL, Buist DS. Defining menopausal status in epidemiologic studies: a comparison of multiple approaches and their effects on breast cancer rates. Maturitas. 2010 Sep;67(1):60-6. Epub 2010 May 21. PubMed
Beasley JM, Ichikawa LE, Ange BA, Spangler L, LaCroix AZ, Ott SM, Scholes D. Is protein intake associated with bone mineral density in young women? Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91(5):1311-6. Epub 2010 Mar 10. PubMed
Ludman EJ, Ichikawa LE, Simon GE, Rohde P, Arterburn D, Operskalski BH, Linde JA, Jeffery RW. Breast and cervical cancer screening specific effects of depression and obesity. Am J Prev Med. 2010;38(3):303-10. PubMed
Ludman E, Simon GE, Ichikawa LE, Operskalski BH, Arterburn D, Linde JA, Jeffery RW, Rohde P, Finch EA. Does depression reduce the effectiveness of behavioral weight loss treatment? Behav Med. 2010;35(4):126-34. PubMed
Scholes D, Ichikawa L, LaCroix AZ, Spangler L, Beasley JM, Reed S, Ott SM. Oral contraceptive use and bone density in adolescent and young adult women. Contraception. 2010;81(1):35-40. PubMed