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:
Liu C, Zeinomar N, Chung WK, Kiryluk K, Gharavi AG, Hripcsak G, Crew KD, Shang N, Khan A, Fasel D, Manolio TA, Jarvik GP, Rowley R, Justice AE, Rahm AK, Fullerton SM, Smoller JW, Larson EB, Crane PK, Dikilitas O, Wiesner GL, Bick AG, Terry MB, Weng C. Generalizability of polygenic risk scores for breast cancer among women with European, African, and Latinx ancestry. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Aug 2;4(8):e2119084. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.19084. PubMed
Kerlavage AR, Kirchhoff AC, Guidry Auvil JM, Sharpless NE, Davis KL, Reilly K, Reaman G, Penberthy L, Deapen D, Hwang A, Durbin E, Gallotto S, Aplenc R, Volchenboum S, Heath A, Aronow B, Zhang J, Vaske O, Alonzo T, Nathan P, Poynter J, Armstrong G, Hahn E, Wernli KJ, Greene C, DiGiovanna J, Resnick A, Shalley E, Nadaf S, Kibbe W. Cancer informatics for cancer centers: scientific drivers for informatics, data science, and care in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer. JCO Clin Cancer Inform. 2021 Aug;5:881-896. doi: 10.1200/CCI.21.00040. PubMed
Schifferdecker KE, Vaclavik D, Wernli KJ, Buist DSM, Kerlikowske K, Sprague, BL, Henderson LM, Johnson D, Budesky J, Jackson-Nefertiti G, Miglioretti DL, Tosteson ANA. Women’s considerations and experiences for breast cancer screening and surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States: a focus group study. Prev Med. 2021 Oct;151:106542. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106542. Epub 2021 Jun 30. PubMed
Sprague BL, O'Meara ES, Lee CI, Lee JM, Henderson LM, Buist DSM, Alsheik N, Macarol T, Perry H, Tosteson ANA, Onega T, Kerlikowske K, Miglioretti DL. Prioritizing breast imaging services during the COVID pandemic: a survey of breast imaging facilities within the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium. Prev Med. 2021 Oct;151:106540. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106540. Epub 2021 Jun 30. PubMed
Puricelli Perin DM, Elfström KM, Bulliard JL, Burón A, Campbell C, Flugelman AA, Giordano L, Kamineni A, Ponti A, Rabeneck L, Saraiya M, Smith RA, Broeders MJM; International Cancer Screening Network. Early assessment of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer screening services: the International Cancer Screening Network COVID-19 survey. Prev Med. 2021 Oct;151:106642. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106642. Epub 2021 Jun 30. 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