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:
Winer RL, Lin J, Anderson ML, Tiro JA, Green BB, Gao H, Meenan RT, Hansen K, Sparks A, Buist DSM. Strategies to increase cervical cancer screening with mailed human papillomavirus self-sampling kits: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2023 Nov 28;330(20):1971-1981. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.21471. PubMed
Atakpa EC, Buist DSM, Bowles EJA, Cuzick J, Brentnall AR. Development and evaluation of a method to assess breast cancer risk using a longitudinal history of mammographic density: A cohort study. Breast Cancer Res. 2023 Nov 24. doi:10.1186/s13058-023-01744-y. Online ahead of print. PubMed
Gard CC, Tice JA, Miglioretti DL, Sprague BL, Bissell MCS, Henderson LM, Kerlikowske K. Extending the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium model of invasive breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2023 Nov 17:JCO2202470. doi: 10.1200/JCO.22.02470 [Epub ahead of print] PubMed
Liu PH, Nair RG, Skinner CS, Murphy CC, Kim EJ, Ortiz C, Wang L, Hu E, Lykken JM, Levin TR, Green BB, Hahn EE, Santini N, Halm EA. Unsatisfactory fecal immunochemical tests for colorectal cancer screening: prevalence, reasons, and subsequent testing. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2023 Nov 15:OF1-OF9. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-23-0507. Online ahead of print. PubMed
Mandelblatt JS, Schechter CB, Stout NK, Huang H, Stein S, Hunter Chapman C, Trentham-Dietz A, Jayasekera J, Gangnon RE, Hampton JM, Abraham L, O'Meara ES, Sheppard VB, Lee SJ. Population simulation modeling of disparities in US breast cancer mortality. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 2023;2023(62):178-187. doi: 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgad023. 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 |
Jennifer B. McClure, PhDDirector, Investigative Science |
Ellen O'Meara, PhDPrincipal Collaborative Scientist |
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 |
Lily N. Shapiro, PhDCollaborative 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