Jennifer Harper, M.D.

The focus of my scientific pursuits in oncology has been to decrease the barriers to and burdens of therapeutic radiation. In the field of breast cancer, I have investigated accelerated partial breast irradiation using breast brachytherapy as a means of decreasing the duration of radiation therapy. Subsequently, we have published thirteen papers on the topic of accelerated partial breast irradiation using balloon brachytherapy. I have investigated epidemiological factors as barriers to receipt of post-mastectomy radiation therapy in South Carolina with the goal of informing outreach. My co-investigators and I have just completed a pilot study of a yogic breathing app for breast cancer patients as a means of reducing stress and improving wellness in the survivorship phase. In head and neck cancer, my co-investigators and I completed pilot study of a navigation program to improve the timeliness of administration of postoperative radiation therapy. In soft tissue sarcoma, I have written an investigator-initiated feasibility study of hypo-fractionated preoperative radiotherapy. This trial will decrease the duration of preoperative radiotherapy to 5 days with the goal of increasing access to treatment within a high-volume sarcoma center like Hollings Cancer Center.