Jessica Chubak, PhD

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“My research focuses on improving cancer control by finding effective ways to get screened for cancer and to navigate treatment and survivorship.”

Jessica Chubak, PhD

Senior Investigator, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute

Biography

Jessica Chubak, PhD, is an epidemiologist who works to improve cancer diagnosis, treatment, control, and survivorship. She contributes to several national collaborations that are finding practical, efficient, effective ways to screen for cancer, especially colorectal cancer. She also studies how common medications affect cancer risk and recurrence. Intrigued by how pets positively affect health, Dr. Chubak is studying animal-assisted activities in clinics and hospitals where children get treated for cancer. Dr. Chubak’s methodological research focuses on the use of administrative and electronic health record data in epidemiologic and health services studies.

Dr. Chubak joined KPWHRI in 2007, bringing expertise in epidemiologic methods, pharmacoepidemiology, and cancer. Awarded a Fulbright graduate student grant, Dr. Chubak pursued her master's degree in bioethics and health law in New Zealand before completing her PhD in Epidemiology at the University of Washington (UW). Dr. Chubak is an affiliate associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the UW School of Public Health, where she enjoys guest-lecturing and getting to work with students.

Research interests and experience

 

Recent publications

Green BB, Wang CY, Horner K, Catz S, Meenan RT, Vernon SW, Carrell D, Chubak J, Ko C, Laing S, Bogart A. Systems of support to increase colorectal cancer screening and follow-up rates (SOS): Design, challenges, and baseline characteristics of trial participants.  Contemp Clin Trials. 2010 Nov;31(6):589-603. Epub 2010 Jul 30. PubMed

Chubak J, Boudreau DM, Rulyak SJ, Mandelson MT. Colorectal cancer risk in relation to antidepressant medication use.  Int J Cancer. 2011 Jan 1;128(1):227-32. Epub 2010 Mar 15. doi: 10.1002/ijc.25322. PubMed

Buist DS, Chubak J, Prout M, Yood MU, Bosco JL, Thwin SS, Gold HT, Owusu C, Field TS, Quinn VP, Wei F, Silliman RA. Referral, receipt, and completion of chemotherapy in patients with early-stage breast cancer older than 65 years and at high risk of breast cancer recurrence.  J Clin Oncol. 2009;27(27):4508-14. Epub 2009 Aug 17. PubMed

Hudson SV, Chubak J, Coups EJ, Blake-Gumbs L, Jacobsen PB, Neugut AI, Buist DS. Identifying key questions to advance research and practice in cancer survivorship follow-up care: a report from the ASPO Survivorship Interest Group.  Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2009;18(7):2152-4. PubMed

Chubak J, Boudreau DM, Rulyak SJ, Mandelson MT. Colorectal cancer risk in relation to use of acid suppressive medications.  Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2009;18(7):540-4. Epub 2009 Apr 14. PubMed

Chubak J, Bowles EJ, Terry MB, Trentham-Dietz A, Buist DS. Antidepressant medications and change in mammographic density in postmenopausal women.  Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2009;18(2):676-9. Epub 2009 Feb 3. PubMed

Chubak J, Boudreau D, Rulyak S, Mandelson M. Colorectal cancer risk in relation to antidepressant use. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2009;18(2):692. PubMed

 

Research

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Study sheds light on needs of young people with cancer

Understanding emergency department use among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors can help address care gaps.

Research

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Improving cancer prevention and early detection

How KPWHRI is contributing to better cancer screening and better outcomes for patients.

Research

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How did the pandemic impact hospital visits with animals?

Top pediatric oncology hospitals reported lasting changes to programs involving visits with animals.