William McGuire, of Univ. of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and one of the world’s foremost breast cancer researchers, died March 25 of an apparent heart attack while scuba diving in Cozumel, Mexico. He was 54. McGuire’s research on prognostic factors in recurrent breast cancer earned him national and international stature. The large ”5-A-Day” Program research group he attracted to San Antonio identified and confirmed a number of these variables, including estrogen and progesterone receptors. ‘He was also known for his bank of 7,000 frozen breast tumors collected over the past 20 years. “He was a remarkable individual, a unique curmudgeon who cared deeply about science,” said Helene Smith, director of the Geraldine Bush Cancer Research Institute, speaking at the American Cancer Society’s Science Writers’ Seminar last week in St. Petersburg, FL, where McGuire was scheduled to discuss his research. Gary Clark, one of McGuire’s co-authors, came to the meeting in his place. McGuire spent two years as a clinical associate at NCI before going to San Antonio in 1969. In 1975, he became chief of the oncology division. With Charles Coltman, McGuire coordinated the annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. He also founded and edited the journal “Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.” Survivors include two sons, Bill and Sean….
Tobacco product sales and distribution would be regulated under the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act in legislation proposed by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM). The bill, S.2298, would require manufacturers to provide a complete list of additives to HHS. If HHS determines the additives are unsafe, the product could be removed….
Rep. Carl Pursell (R-MI), ranking minority member of the House Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Subcommittee, announced he will not seek reelection in November….
Gregorio Delgado was named chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at Loyola Univ. Stritch School of Medicine. He was chief of gynecologic oncology at Georgetown Univ.
