Cancer is complex and can be a devastating diagnosis for individuals and their families. Our researchers work to improve cancer control on many levels, from prevention and screening through treatment and survivorship.
Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) has been studying how to provide life-saving breast cancer screening since 1986. In a novel initiative, researchers used a computer-based registry and collaborations with organizations across the U.S. before electronic health records existed and multi-site studies were common. The program ultimately led to a rich portfolio of studies not only on breast cancer, but also on colorectal, blood, cervical, lung, and thyroid cancers.
“Decades later, Kaiser Permanente Washington is just as committed to developing and evaluating innovations in cancer care,” said Karen Wernli, PhD, KPWHRI associate investigator.
The core of KPWHRI cancer research lies in its participation in many collaborative networks and programs. “Collaboration increases the power of Kaiser Permanente studies and helps us learn from different populations and health care settings,” said Senior Investigator Jessica Chubak, PhD. Examples of these networks include:
Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC)
The BCSC identifies strategies that detect aggressive breast cancer early, minimize harms, and reach diverse communities. Results help policymakers and health systems improve breast cancer screening and surveillance outcomes. The Kaiser Permanente Washington Breast Imaging Registry contributes to this national effort and the BCSC Statistical Coordinating Center resides at KPWHRI.
Population-based Research to Optimize the Screening Process (PROSPR)
The PROSPR national consortium conducts research to improve screening for cervical, colorectal, and lung cancers. PROSPR results will help optimize and tailor screening for different subgroups of the population.
Kaiser Permanente Research Bank (KPRB) Cancer Cohort
The KPRB Cancer Cohort is a national resource for understanding genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors that contribute to cancer etiology and survival. Electronic health record data, stored tissue specimens, detailed treatment data, and the ability to follow patients for recurrence and mortality are accelerating progress toward improved cancer care.
Some of the cancer research group’s current studies include:
Past findings include:
Pocobelli G, Doherty JA, Voigt LF, Beresford SA, Hill DA, Chen C, Rossing MA, Holmes RS, Noor ZS, Weiss NS. Pregnancy history and risk of endometrial cancer. Epidemiology. 2011 Sep;22(5):638-45. doi: 10.1097/EDE.0b013e3182263018. PubMed
Sung H, Freedman RA, Siegel RL, Hyun N, DeSantis C, Ruddy KJ, Jemal A. Risks of subsequent primary cancers among breast cancer survivors according to hormone receptor status. Cancer. 2021 Sep 15;127(18):3310-3324. doi: 10.1002/cncr.33602. Epub 2021 May 18. PubMed
Wernli KJ, Henrikson NB, Morrison CC, Nguyen M, Pocobelli G, Blasi PR. Screening for skin cancer in adults: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA.2016;316(4):436-447. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.5415. PubMed
Zhang M, Wang Z, Obazee O, Jia J, Childs EJ, Hoskins J, Figlioli G, Mocci E, Collins I, Chung CC, Hautman C, Arslan AA, Beane-Freeman L, Bracci PM, Buring J, Duell EJ, Gallinger S, Giles GG, Goodman GE, Goodman PJ, Kamineni A, Kolonel LN, Kulke MH, Malats N, Olson SH, Sesso HD, Visvanathan K, White E, Zheng W, Abnet CC, Albanes D, Andreotti G, Brais L, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, Basso D, Berndt SI, Boutron-Ruault MC, Bijlsma MF, Brenner H, Burdette L, Campa D, Caporaso NE, Capurso G, Cavestro GM, Cotterchio M, Costello E, Elena J, Boggi U, Gaziano JM, Gazouli M, Giovannucci EL, Goggins M, Gross M, Haiman CA, Hassan M, Helzlsouer KJ, Hu N, Hunter DJ, Iskierka-Jazdzewska E, Jenab M, Kaaks R, Key TJ, Khaw KT, Klein EA, Kogevinas M, Krogh V, Kupcinskas J, Kurtz RC, Landi MT, Landi S, Le Marchand L, Mambrini A, Mannisto S, Milne RL, Neale RE, Oberg AL, Panico S, Patel AV, Peeters PH, Peters U, Pezzilli R, Porta M, Purdue M, Quiros JR, Riboli E, Rothman N, Scarpa A, Scelo G, Shu XO, Silverman DT, Soucek P, Strobel O, Sund M, Malecka-Panas E, Taylor PR, Tavano F, Travis RC, Thornquist M, Tjønneland A, Tobias GS, Trichopoulos D, Vashist Y, Vodicka P, Wactawski-Wende J, Wentzensen N, Yu H, Yu K, Zeleniuch-Jacquotte A, Kooperberg C, Risch HA, Jacobs EJ, Li D, Fuchs C, Hoover R, Hartge P, Chanock SJ, Petersen GM, Stolzenberg-Solomon RS, Wolpin BM, Kraft P, Klein AP, Canzian F, Amundadottir LT. Three new pancreatic cancer susceptibility signals identified on chromosomes 1q32.1, 5p15.33 and 8q24.21. Oncotarget. 2016 Oct 11;7(41):66328-66343. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.11041. PubMed
A'mar T, Beatty JD, Fedorenko C, Markowitz D, Corey T, Lange J, Schwartz SM, Huang B, Chubak J, Etzioni R. Incorporating breast cancer recurrence events into population-based cancer registries using medical claims: cohort study. JMIR Cancer. 2020 Aug 17;6(2):e18143. doi: 10.2196/18143. PubMed
Melissa L. Anderson, MSPrincipal Collaborative Biostatistician |
Erin J. Bowles, MPHDirector, Collaborative Science |
Jessica Chubak, PhDSenior Investigator |
Yates Coley, PhDAssociate Biostatistics Investigator |
Andrea J. Cook, PhDSenior Biostatistics Investigator |
Marlaine Figueroa Gray, PhDAssistant Investigator |
Beverly B. Green, MD, MPHSenior Investigator |
Laura E. Ichikawa, MSPrincipal Collaborative Biostatistician |
Jennifer B. McClure, PhDDirector, Investigative Science |
Ellen O'Meara, PhDPrincipal Collaborative Scientist |
Lorella Palazzo, PhDSenior Collaborative Scientist |
Gaia Pocobelli, PhDSenior Collaborative Scientist |
Rod L. Walker, MSPrincipal Collaborative Biostatistician |
Robert D. Wellman, MSPrincipal Collaborative Biostatistician |
Karen Wernli, PhDSenior Investigator |
Onchee Yu, MSPrincipal Collaborative Biostatistician |
Weiwei Zhu, MSSenior Collaborative Biostatistician |
Yu-Ru Su, PhDAssociate Biostatistics Investigator |
Brian D. Williamson, PhDAssistant Biostatistics Investigator |
Noorie Hyun, PhDAssociate Biostatistics Investigator |
Pamela A. Shaw, PhD, MSSenior Biostatistics Investigator |
Nicole M. Gatto, PhD, MPHPrincipal Collaborative Scientist |
Meagan C. Brown, PhD, MPHAssistant Investigator |
Nora Henrikson, PhD, MPHAssociate Investigator |
Wylie Burke, MD, PhD
University of Washington (UW) Department of Medical History and Ethics
Joann G. Elmore, MD, MPH
Harborview Medical Center; UW Department of Epidemiology
Larry Kessler, ScD
UW Department of Health Services
Constance D. Lehman, MD, PhD
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance; UW Department of Radiology
Kathy Leppig, MD
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington; UW Department of Pathology
Peggy L. Porter, MD
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC); UW Department of Pathology
Emily White, PhD
FHCRC; UW Department of Epidemiology
Rachel Winer, PhD, MPH
Fred Hutchinson/UW Cancer Consortium; UW Department of Epidemiology