Course information

Cancer is the leading cause of death in women 15-44 years of age killing nearly 12,000 women in the United States each year. The risk of cancer can be reduced by encouraging healthy lifestyles, facilitating screening compliance and use of certain contraceptives. Few women realize the potential health benefits associated with use of their chosen contraceptive. This program highlights the impact of contraceptives on cancer risk reduction and will equip providers with knowledge to more fully educate patients.

Susan A. Ballagh, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, has been on the faculty at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk since 1997. She is a clinical investigator for the Contraceptive Research and Development Program, which seeks to develop new or improved contraceptive methods that are safe, effective, acceptable, and suitable for use in the United States and in developing countries.Previously, she was assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Stanford University Medical Center and chief of Women’s Health at the Palo Alto of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (1992-1997). Before pursuing her medical training, Dr. Ballagh completed a didactic internship and a master’s degree in nutrition at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and practiced as a women-infants-children nutritionist.
Dr. Ballagh received her medical degree from the Drew/UCLA Medical Education Program at the University of California at Los Angeles and completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology and a two-year fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and contraception at the Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center. Usually serving as principal investigator, Dr. Ballagh has participated in many clinical trials that have investigated contraception, menopause, and women’s health conditions, including endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and incontinence. She has given numerous lectures and has written articles, abstracts, and book chapters. Dr. Ballagh serves on the National Medical Advisory Board for Planned Parenthood Federation of America and is an ad hoc reviewer for grant applications for the National Institutes of Health. She also serves as an ad hoc reviewer for Contraception, Fertility and Sterility, and the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.