Dr. Vicki Helgeson, professor of psychology at Carnegie Mellon University, will speak about "Surviving Breast Cancer" Tuesday, March 27, at 12:40 p.m. in the McKelvey Campus Center Mueller Theater.

"A great deal of research has focused on the initial adjustment to breast cancer, but little research has focused on survivorship issues," Helgeson said. "This presentation will follow a cohort of women who were diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and participated in a randomized clinical trial of psychoeducational group support interventions."

Helgeson is part of the Westminster College Diversity Symposium, "Images of Women: Choices for Women and Men," which is a week-long event that celebrates the 25th anniversary of the first women's symposium at Westminster.  Visit http://www.westminster.edu/news/releases/release.cfm?id=1964 for a complete calendar of Diversity Symposium events.

"Dr. Helgeson's research interests focus on gender, relationships, and health," said Dr. Sherri Pataki, Westminster College assistant professor of psychology. "She studies how people adjust to chronic diseases such as heart disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis."

Helgeson earned her undergraduate degree from Valparaiso University, her master's from the College of William and Mary, and her Ph.D. from the University of Denver. Helgeson has authored two books and numerous professional articles. She is an associate editor for: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, and Women's Health: Research on Gender, Behavior, and Policy. Helgeson is a consulting editor for: Psychology of Women Quarterly, The Journal of Men's Studies, and Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. She is also an editorial board member and ad hoc reviewer for several other professional journals.

All events are free and open to the public. Contact Faires at (724) 946-7293 or e-mail faires@westminster.edu for more information.

Dr. Vicki Helgeson