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Charles Brenton Huggins
Charles Brenton Huggins nobel.jpg
Huggins in 1966
Born (1901-09-22)September 22, 1901
Died January 12, 1997(1997-01-12) (aged 95)
Citizenship Canadian, American
Alma mater Acadia University
Harvard University
Known for prostate cancer
hormones
Awards Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine (1966)
Cameron Prize for Therapeutics of the University of Edinburgh (1956)
Gairdner Foundation International Award (1966)
Scientific career
Fields physiology
Institutions University of Michigan, University of Chicago

Charles Brenton Huggins (born September 22, 1901 – died January 12, 1997) was a doctor and scientist. He was from both Canada and the United States. He worked at the University of Chicago. Dr. Huggins studied cancer, especially prostate cancer.

In 1966, he won the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. He earned this award for an important discovery he made in 1941. He found that hormones could help control the spread of some cancers. This was the first time anyone showed that chemicals could be used to fight cancer.

About Charles Huggins

Charles Huggins was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. This was on September 22, 1901.

His Education

He went to Acadia University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1920. After that, he studied medicine at Harvard Medical School. He became a medical doctor (MD) in 1924.

He then worked as an intern and resident in surgery. This training took place at the University of Michigan.

His Cancer Research

Dr. Huggins developed a way to study how hormones affect the prostate gland. The prostate is a small gland in men. He found that changes in hormones could influence prostate cancer.

He was the first scientist to use a full-body approach to treat prostate cancer. This was a big step forward in cancer treatment. It showed that chemicals could help control the disease.

Awards and Recognition

Charles Huggins received many honors for his work. In 1949, he became a member of important science groups. These included the United States National Academy of Sciences.

He also received the Cameron Prize for Therapeutics of the University of Edinburgh in 1958. In 1962, he joined the American Philosophical Society.

His biggest award was the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He received this on October 13, 1966.

Later Life

Charles Huggins passed away on January 12, 1997. He was 95 years old. He died in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. His wife had passed away in 1983.

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