Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program

Oregon Health & Science University, Portland OR

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY: Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program Kerri Winters-Stone, Ph.D., and Sue Flocke, Ph.D., Program Co-Leaders The Knight Cancer Institute (KCI) Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC) Program is focused on reducing cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality through innovative approaches that translate knowledge from basic and population health discoveries to at-risk populations and communities. CPC has 38 members conducting research to reduce cancer burden through transdisciplinary collaborative science within three themes: 1) Prevention and Risk Reduction, 2) Early Detection and Screening, and 3) Survivorship. There is also a cross-cutting theme to improve cancer prevention and control for at-risk populations in our catchment area, including low-income, rural, older adults, tribal communities and those with a familial predisposition to cancer. CPC has nearly doubled peer-reviewed direct cost funding since the last cycle from $2,755,855 to $4,822,697, with NCI funding accounting for $3,405,640, an increase of 98%. CPC scientists’ discoveries have resulted in 659 publications; 22% are intra-programmatic, 30% inter-programmatic, 55% are inter-institutional, and 20% are in journals with an impact factor greater than 10. CPC work addresses several of our high-priority cancers, and aims to improve equity in at-risk populations in our catchment area. Highlights include translating discoveries from animal models of cancer cachexia and of young women’s breast cancer to preclinical trials of therapeutic agents; advancing knowledge of the biology of melanoma genetic risk and disease progression to advance our War On Melanoma; leading collaborative research focused on increasing uptake of evidence-based cancer screenings in Oregon’s rural and low-income populations; and improving decision-making and care planning for older patients with advanced lung cancer. CPC members have led updates to national screening guidelines in breast, lung, and colon cancer and evidence- based exercise recommendations for cancer survivors. Program members also lead innovative multi-investigator initiatives. The Healthy Oregon Project led to an inter-programmatic Biden Cancer Moonshot grant, Evaluation of Population Based Testing for HBOC and Lynch Syndromes to develop genetic screening approaches to identify persons at risk for heritable cancers, while a new P50 NCI Implementation Science Center is conducting intervention studies to transform clinical practice and increase delivery of cancer screening services to tens of thousands of low-income community health center patients. CPC members also lead national training programs for under-represented minorities, including cancer control training programs for American Indian and Alaskan Native graduate students and community providers. Plans to further the impactful work of CPC include building infrastructure and networks for research in cancer and aging, amplifying implementation science capacity, and growing our Healthy Oregon Project and War on Melanoma cohorts.