Mark Harden News

09/17/2026

09/16/2026

Today was Block Party day at the University of Colorado Anschutz, a festive event with more than 170 booths representing many of our campus departments and programs, all displaying their important work. It helped to explain why there is so much fascinating health-science news for my University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine communications colleagues and me to write about, as you'll see in this week's campus newsletter:
>> Amber Carlson on how AI could improve health care for incarcerated people.
>> Me on a study into why there aren’t enough clinical trials on ways to prevent su***de.
>> And Greg Glasgow on how hormone therapy works in breast and prostate cancer treatment.
Plus, our campus comms pals cover a clinical trial of a home-grown colorectal cancer therapy, a study finding the possible source of post-shingles pain, and a new treatment for patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease.
It's all in the latest CU Anschutz Today! Enjoy!
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https://tinyurl.com/CUAToday091626

09/10/2026

For most causes of death and injury -- cancer, for example -- clinical trials are essential for advancing evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies. But on World Su***de Prevention Day, it's worth noting that the situation is different for one leading cause of death.
Every day, about 134 people in the United States die by su***de. Yet there are relatively few clinical trials studying suicidal thoughts and behaviors and how to reduce su***de risk.
Ian Stanley, PhD, of the CU Anschutz Department of Emergency Medicine, a clinical psychologist and an expert on su***de prevention, launched a study to answer a simple question: Why.
It's my latest story for the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine at University of Colorado Anschutz. ***deprevention

There’s an incorrect perception that these trials are too risky to conduct, says clinical psychologist lan Stanley, PhD, of CU Anschutz Emergency Medicine.

09/09/2026

Nine wins? Eleven wins? Fourteen wins (again)? With the 2026 NFL season upon us, predictions for the Denver Broncos vary widely. But one thing's for sure: Every one of the stories from my University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine colleagues in this week's University of Colorado Anschutz health-science newsletter is a winner! Here's your opening-day roster:
>> Greg Glasgow on how walking before heart surgery may help keep the brain sharp, and on clinical trials of a potentially game-changing immunotherapy drug for advanced prostate cancer.
>> Amber Carlson on how AI could help ophthalmologists find clinical trial participants faster.
>> And me on free at-home genetic testing to help patients understand breast and ovarian cancer risks, and on a study of how cancer patients feel two years after CAR T-cell treatment.
Plus our campus communications pals ask if poor sleep is ruining your weight-loss efforts, what strokes have to do with chickenpox, and how menopause impacts health.
It's all in the latest CU Anschutz Today. Game on!
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https://tinyurl.com/CUAT090926

09/08/2026

She's a U.S. Air Force brigadier general (retired) and was a squadron commander at home and in war zones. She's executive director of the Marcus Institute for Brain Health at University of Colorado Anschutz and co-founder and deputy director of CU's Combat Medicine Research Center. She's a leader in treatment and research focused on traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and resiliency among those who serve their country and their communities.
And soon there will be a special addition to the long list of achievements and accolades for Kathleen Flarity, DNP, PhD, of the CU Anschutz Department of Emergency Medicine: On Oct. 2, she will be honored by the Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce as one of its Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business.
This remarkable military and medical trailblazer shares her insights into leadership and offers advice to rising women leaders in my latest story for the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine.

A new addition to the long list of achievements and accolades for CU Anschutz School of Medicine Professor Kathleen Flarity carries special significance.

09/04/2026

"You won't be able to make the best choice for yourself if you don't have the information first. It could save your life.”
Michele Frishman knew she was at higher risk of breast cancer because of family history, but for years she put off seeking out genetic testing to find out whether she carried an inherited gene mutation that could raise her cancer risk. When she took advantage of CU-GENES, a University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center study offering free testing and counseling, she learned she carried the mutation and took action to greatly lower her risk. Now she faces the future with confidence. “I’m really glad I did it,” she says.
My latest story for the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine at University of Colorado Anschutz.

“I just feel a huge relief,” says a study participant who learned she carried a genetic mutation and took action to lower her cancer risk.

09/02/2026

I'm not sure today's big reveal of the "Dancing With the Stars" season 35 cast will motivate me to watch. I'm way more in step with the fascinating health-science stories by my University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine colleagues in the University of Colorado Anschutz newsletter! Featured in this week's chorus line:
>> Tayler Shaw on transplant patients moving cardiology forward by donating their diseased hearts to science.
>> Greg Glasgow on how tracking their biometric data could help keep trauma surgeons on top of their game, on improving mental health care for acute trauma surgery patients, and on solving the puzzle of rare and difficult-to-treat melanomas.
>> Kara Mason on how AI could play a role in reducing infections in hospitals.
>> Mara Kalinoski on a new virtual primary care initiative expanding doctor access across Colorado.
Plus there are terrific pieces by our campus communications friends on improving treatment of a form of dementia, on relationship tips for the neurodiverse, and much more.
It's all in this week's CU Anschutz Today!
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https://tinyurl.com/CUAT090226

09/02/2026

CAR T-cell therapy is a custom-made treatment where a patient’s own immune cells are reprogrammed to attack cancer. It has revolutionized treatment of stubborn cancers that resist other forms of treatment, particularly blood cancers.

But what hasn’t been well studied is how CAR T-cell therapy makes patients feel over the long haul.

Now, a groundbreaking new study from University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center member Ajay Major, MD, MBA, and Vincenzo Pizzuti, MD, MS, addresses what Major calls “a huge unanswered gap” in how CAR T-cell therapy impacts patients over a two-year span. It may also provide clues into how well the therapy is working.

It's my latest story for the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine at University of Colorado Anschutz.

A CU Anschutz Cancer Center member and a resident physician study how patients feel two years after CAR T-cell therapy.

08/27/2026

“Rural agencies and hospitals in Colorado are doing an amazing job caring for their patients, often with limited resources. Our goal is to support their efforts and help overcome inequities in care."
Emergency medical services play a crucial and expanding role at the front end of the emergency care system. But across Colorado’s vast rural areas, EMS resources often are stretched thin. So the CU Anschutz Department of Emergency Medicine has been stepping in to help the people -- often volunteers -- who answer 9-1-1 medical calls.
I talk with Andra Farcas, MD, FAEMS, who travels the state to advise and train rural EMS programs, for my latest story for the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine at University of Colorado Anschutz.

A CU Anschutz Department of Emergency Medicine program helps emergency medical teams across the state with training, community outreach, and more.

08/26/2026

Moviegoers are storming theaters this summer to see The Odyssey – and some say their ears are ringing after the movie.

We talked to CU Anschutz School of Medicine audiologist, Cory Portnuff, AuD, PhD, to find out whether movies and other noisy experiences pose a risk and how we can protect our ears.

Learn more: https://news.cuanschutz.edu/medicine/portnuff-odyssey-loud-movies-hearing-risk