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 senior 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:
Carter-Bawa L, Lafata JE, Slaven JE Jr, Monahan PO, Vielma AG, Wernli KJ, Brandzel S, Gao H, Rawl SM. Navigating shared decision-making in lung cancer screening: Insights into barriers, training, and referral propensity among clinicians. Patient Educ Couns. 2025 Nov;140:109303. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2025.109303. Epub 2025 Aug 8. PubMed
Smith-Bindman R, Alber SA, Kwan ML, Pequeno P, Bolch WE, Bowles EJA, Greenlee RT, Stout NK, Weinmann S, Moy LM, Stewart C, Francisco M, Kofler C, Duncan JR, Ducore J, Mahendra M, Pole JD, Miglioretti DL. Medical imaging and pediatric and adolescent hematologic cancer risk. N Engl J Med. 2025;393(13):1269-1278. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2502098. Epub 2025 Sep 17. PubMed
Bhimani J, Wang P, Gallagher GB, O'Connell K, Blinder V, Burganowski R, Ergas IJ, Griggs JJ, Heon N, Kolevska T, Kotsurovskyy Y, Kroenke CH, Laurent CA, Liu R, Nakata KG, Persaud S, Roh JM, Tabatabai S, Valice E, Bandera EV, Bowles EJA, Kushi LH, Kantor ED. Patient factors and modifications to intended chemotherapy for women with stages I-IIIA breast cancer. Int J Cancer. 2025 Oct 1;157(7):1342-1353. doi: 10.1002/ijc.35494. Epub 2025 Jun 2. PubMed
Mehta SJ, Nadella P, Shaw PA, Reitz C, Brophy C, Okorie E, Williams K, Snider CK, Peifer MK, Rhodes C, Asch DA. Behavioral interventions improve mailed colorectal cancer screening among overdue patients in a randomized trial. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2025 Sep 20:S1542-3565(25)00835-3. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2025.09.015 [Epub ahead of print] PubMed
Lotter W, Hippe DS, Oshiro T, Lowry KP, Milch HS, Miglioretti DL, Elmore JG, Lee CI, Hsu W. Influence of mammography acquisition parameters on ai and radiologist interpretive performance. Radiol Artif Intell. 2025 Sep 17:e240861. doi: 10.1148/ryai.240861 [Epub ahead of print] PubMed
![]() Melissa L. Anderson, MSPrincipal Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Erin J. Bowles, MPHDirector, Collaborative Science |
![]() 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 |
![]() Laura E. Ichikawa, MSPrincipal Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Lorella Palazzo, PhDSenior Collaborative Scientist |
![]() Gaia Pocobelli, PhDSenior Collaborative Scientist |
![]() Rod L. Walker, MSPrincipal Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Robert D. Wellman, MSPrincipal Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Karen Wernli, PhDSenior Investigator |
![]() Onchee Yu, MSPrincipal Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Weiwei Zhu, MSSenior Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Yu-Ru Su, PhDAssociate Biostatistics Investigator |
![]() Brian D. Williamson, PhDAssistant Biostatistics Investigator |
![]() Noorie Hyun, PhDAssociate Biostatistics Investigator |
![]() Pamela A. Shaw, PhD, MSSenior Biostatistics Investigator |
![]() Nicole M. Gatto, PhD, MPHPrincipal Collaborative Scientist |
![]() Meagan C. Brown, PhD, MPHAssistant Investigator |
![]() Nora Henrikson, PhD, MPHAssociate 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