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:
Sprague BL, Chen S, Miglioretti DL, Gard CC, Tice JA, Hubbard RA, Bowles EA, Kaufman PA, Kerlikowske K. Cumulative 6-year risk of screen-detected ductal carcinoma in situ by screening frequency. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Feb 1; 6(2): e230166. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.0166. PubMed
Lowry KP, Ichikawa L, Hubbard RA, Buist DSM, Bowles EJA, Henderson LM, Kerlikowske K, Specht JM, Sprague BL, Wernli KJ, Lee JM. Variation in second breast cancer risk after primary invasive cancer by time since primary cancer diagnosis and estrogen receptor status. Cancer. 2023 Feb 15. doi: 10.1002/cncr.34679. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
Selby K, Sedki M, Levine E, Kamineni A, Green BB, Vachani A, Haas JS, Ritzwoller DP, Croswell JM, Ohikere K, Doria-Rose VP, Rendle KA, Chubak J, Lafata JE, Inadomi J, Corley DA. Test performance metrics for breast, cervical, colon and lung cancer screening: a systematic review. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2023 Feb 8:djad028. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djad028. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
Su YR, Buist DS, Lee JM, Ichikawa L, Miglioretti DL, Aiello Bowles EJ, Wernli KJ, Kerlikowske K, Tosteson A, Lowry KP, Henderson LM, Sprague BL, Hubbard RA. Performance of statistical and machine learning risk prediction models for surveillance benefits and failures in breast cancer survivors. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2023 Jan 25:EPI-22-0677. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-22-0677. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
Del Vecchio NJ, Beaber EF, Garcia MP, Wheeler CM, Kamineni A, Chao C, Chubak J, Corley DA, Owens CL, Winer RL, Pruitt SL, Raine-Bennett T, Feldman S, Silverberg M. Provider- and facility-level variation in pre-cancerous cervical biopsy diagnoses. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2023 Apr 1;27(2):113-119. doi: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000721. Epub 2023 Jan 17. PubMed
![]() Melissa L. Anderson, MSPrincipal Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Erin J. Bowles, MPHManager, Collaborative Science |
![]() David S. Carrell, PhDAssociate Investigator |
![]() 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 |
![]() Nora Henrikson, PhD, MPHAssociate Investigator |
![]() Laura E. Ichikawa, MSPrincipal Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Aruna Kamineni, PhD, MPHAssistant Investigator |
![]() Jennifer B. McClure, PhDDirector, Investigative Science |
![]() Ellen O'Meara, PhDPrincipal Collaborative Scientist |
![]() Lorella Palazzo, PhDCollaborative Scientist |
![]() Gaia Pocobelli, PhDSenior Collaborative Scientist |
![]() Rod L. Walker, MSSenior Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Robert D. Wellman, MSSenior Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Karen Wernli, PhDSenior Investigator |
![]() Onchee Yu, MSPrincipal Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Weiwei Zhu, MSSenior Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Yu-Ru Su, PhDAssistant Biostatistics Investigator |
![]() Brian D. Williamson, PhDAssistant Biostatistics Investigator |
![]() Noorie Hyun, PhDAssistant Biostatistics Investigator |
![]() Pamela A. Shaw, PhD, MSSenior Biostatistics Investigator |
![]() Nicole M. Gatto, PhD, MPHPrincipal Collaborative Scientist |
![]() Meagan C. Brown, PhD, MPHCollaborative Scientist |
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