Kathryn J. Ruddy, M.D., studies long-term and late effects of cancer treatments, and how to best care for cancer survivors to enhance their quality of life and reduce symptoms. She collects patient-reported outcomes on clinical trials to better inform treatment decision-making. Dr. Ruddy also utilizes cohort studies to gather important survey data on the physical and psychosocial sequelae of breast cancer. Most of her research to date has focused on two understudied groups of breast cancer patients: men and young women.

Focus areas

• Genetic and biomarker predictors of chemotherapy-related amenorrhea, infertility and menopausal symptoms in young women with breast cancer
• Psychosocial sequelae of breast cancer in men
• Long-term oncologic treatment toxicities including cardiac dysfunction, infertility, neuropathy, financial difficulties, cognitive dysfunction, emotional distress, secondary malignancies and sexual dysfunction
• Patient-reported outcomes in clinical trials of new breast cancer drugs

Significance to patient care

Many people who have been treated for cancer experience substantial long-term or late side effects from the therapies received. Dr. Ruddy aims to learn how to minimize these toxicities and to improve clinical care to optimize cancer survivors' physical, mental and emotional health. Her primary focus is on patients with breast cancer, and the eventual research goal is to tailor breast cancer treatments based on an improved understanding of the individualized risks and benefits of each given treatment for each patient.