Population Cancer Analytics

Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

POPULATION CANCER ANALYSTICS SHARED RESOURCE PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Population Cancer Analytics Shared Resource (PCA-SR) is the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center's (Case CCC) centralized source of population data and analysis on cancer risk, burden, utilization patterns, costs, and outcomes. We serve as a singular source of data and expertise for members and others wishing to conduct hypothesis-driven and exploratory research on population-level cancer-related phenomena locally, regionally, or nationally; and we support Center priority-setting, reporting, and outreach activities with catchment area intelligence. We continually develop the needed informatics and algorithmic infrastructure to support this work and strive to maintain an array of population data sources stemming from cancer registries, claims data, national surveys, and community-level databases. In the course of achieving these goals, we train the next generation of cancer prevention and control researchers by hosting learners at levels from undergraduate to MD and PhD. PCA-SR provides five categories of services. A focus on identifying and understanding cancer disparities crosscuts each.  Catchment Intelligence – Provide catchment population data analysis for Case CCC  Epidemiologic studies – Support population and clinical epidemiologic studies using large databases  Health services and outcomes research – Utilization, cost, and clinical outcomes studies  Training – Supporting undergraduate, MPH, MS, MD, PhD, MD/PhD students to assist with and lead projects  Infrastructure development – Continually growing novel methods, data sources, metrics, and tools. The Specific Aims of PCA-SR are to: 1. Cultivate multi-level data infrastructures and methodological expertise to enable the conduct of research across the cancer control continuum. 2. Ground cancer research in understanding of cancer risk factors, co-morbidities, social determinants of health, behavioral measurement, and intervention opportunities. 3. Connect diverse methods and partners to support research on complex cancer control problems. Since 2018, we have supported diverse clinical and population cancer research. We have also provided Case CCC leadership with over 60 data briefs on cancer burden and risk factors in the catchment area, and have expanded data resources, expertise, and infrastructure. These expansions include the development of linked cancer registry and Medicaid data for low-income patients, development of substantial mapping and spatial analysis capabilities, and design and implementation of a prototype population cancer data platform.