Cancer is complex, so 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) was the first organization to develop and implement an evidence-based breast cancer screening program. This novel initiative used a computer-based registry before electronic health records (EHRs) existed. The program led to a rich portfolio of studies including on breast, colorectal, blood, cervical, lung, ovarian, and other cancer types. “Decades later,” says Karen Wernli, PhD, KPWHRI associate investigator, “Kaiser Permanente Washington is just as committed to developing and evaluating innovations in cancer care.”
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,” says senior investigator Jessica Chubak, PhD. Examples of these networks include:
Trabert B, Bauer DC, Buist DSM, Cauley JA, Falk RT, Geczik AM, Gierach GL, Hada M, Hue TF, Lacey JV Jr, LaCroix AZ, Tice JA, Xu X, Dallal CM, Brinton LA. Association of circulating progesterone with breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women. JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Apr 1;3(4):e203645. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.3645. PubMed
Smith-Bindman R, Chu P, Wang Y, Chung R, Lopez-Solano N, Einstein AJ, Solberg L, Cervantes LF, Yellen-Nelson T, Boswell W, Delman BN, Duong PA, Goode AR, Kasraie N, Lee RK, Neill R, Pahwa A, Pike P, Roehm J, Schindera S, Starkey J, Suntharalingam S, Jeukens CRLPN, Miglioretti DL. Comparison of the effectiveness of single-component and multicomponent interventions for reducing radiation doses in patients undergoing computed tomography: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2020 Mar 30. pii: 2763413. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.0064. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
Schaffter T, Buist DSM, Lee CI, Nikulin Y, Ribli D, Guan Y, Lotter W, Jie Z, Du H, Wang S, Feng J, Feng M, Kim HE, Albiol F, Albiol A, Morrell S, Wojna Z, Ahsen ME, Asif U, Jimeno Yepes A, Yohanandan S, Rabinovici-Cohen S, Yi D, Hoff B, Yu T, Chaibub Neto E, Rubin DL, Lindholm P, Margolies LR, McBride RB, Rothstein JH, Sieh W, Ben-Ari R, Harrer S, Trister A, Friend S, Norman T, Sahiner B, Strand F, Guinney J, Stolovitzky G; and the DM DREAM Consortium, Mackey L, Cahoon J, Shen L, Sohn JH, Trivedi H, Shen Y, Buturovic L, Pereira JC, Cardoso JS, Castro E, Kalleberg KT, Pelka O, Nedjar I, Geras KJ, Nensa F, Goan E, Koitka S, Caballero L, Cox DD, Krishnaswamy P, Pandey G, Friedrich CM, Perrin D, Fookes C, Shi B, Cardoso Negrie G, Kawczynski M, Cho K, Khoo CS, Lo JY, Sorensen AG, Jung H. Evaluation of combined artificial intelligence and radiologist assessment to interpret screening mammograms. JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Mar 2;3(3):e200265. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.0265. PubMed
Sprague BL, Coley RY, Kerlikowske K, Rauscher GH, Henderson LM, Onega T, Lee CI, Herschorn SD, Tosteson ANA, Miglioretti DL. Assessment of radiologist performance in breast cancer screening using digital breast tomosynthesis vs digital mammography. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(3):e201759. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.1759. PubMed
Baldwin LM, Schneider JL, Schwartz M, Rivelli JS, Green BB, Petrik AF, Coronado GD. First-year implementation of mailed FIT colorectal cancer screening programs in two Medicaid/Medicare health insurance plans: qualitative learnings from health plan quality improvement staff and leaders. BMC Health Serv Res. 2020 Feb 21;20(1):132. doi: 10.1186/s12913-019-4868-5. PubMed
![]() Melissa L. Anderson, MSBiostatistician III |
![]() Denise M. Boudreau, PhDSenior Investigator |
![]() Erin J. Bowles, MPHResearch Associate |
![]() Diana S. Buist, PhD, MPHDirector of Research and Strategic Partnerships; Senior Investigator |
![]() David S. Carrell, PhDAssociate Investigator |
![]() Jessica Chubak, PhD, MBHLSenior Investigator |
![]() Yates Coley, PhDAssistant Investigator |
![]() Andrea J. Cook, PhDSenior Investigator |
![]() Marlaine Gray, PhDAssistant Investigator |
![]() Beverly B. Green, MD, MPHSenior Investigator |
![]() Nora Henrikson, PhD, MPHAssistant Investigator |
![]() Laura E. Ichikawa, MSBiostatistician III |
![]() Aruna Kamineni, PhD, MPHAssistant Investigator |
![]() Jennifer B. McClure, PhDDirector of Research, Faculty, & Development; Senior Investigator |
![]() Ellen O'Meara, PhDResearch Associate |
![]() Lorella Palazzo, PhDResearch Associate |
![]() Gaia Pocobelli, PhDResearch Associate |
![]() Leah Tuzzio, MPHResearch Associate |
![]() Rod L. Walker, MSBiostatistician III |
![]() Robert D. Wellman, MSBiostatistician III |
![]() Karen Wernli, PhDAssociate Investigator |
![]() Onchee Yu, MSBiostatistician III |
![]() Weiwei Zhu, MSBiostatistician III |
![]() Yu-Ru Su, PhDAssistant 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