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:
Croswell JM, Corley DA, Lafata JE, Haas JS, Inadomi JM, Kamineni A, Ritzwoller DP, Vachani A, Zheng Y. Cancer screening in the U.S. through the COVID-19 pandemic, recovery, and beyond. Prev Med. 2021 Oct;151:106595. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106595. Epub 2021 Jun 30. PubMed
Heine J, Fowler E, Scott CG, Jensen MR, Shepherd J, Hruska CB, Winham SJ, Brandt KR, Wu FF, Norman AD, Pankratz VS, Miglioretti DL, Kerlikowske K, Vachon CM. Mammographic variation measures, breast density, and breast cancer risk. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2021 Aug;217(2):326-335. doi: 10.2214/AJR.20.22794. Epub 2021 Jun 23. PubMed
Sarma EA, Thompson MJ, Bowles EA, Burnett-Hartman AN, Hubbard RA, Yu O, Chubak J. Patient and tumor characteristics of screening-age adults diagnosed with screen-detected versus symptomatic colon cancer. Colorectal Dis. 2022 Jun 23. doi: 10.1111/codi.16232. Online ahead of print. PubMed
DiNucci A, Henrikson NB, Jonas MC, Basra S, Blasi P, Brown J, Esplin ED, Hassen D, Hao J, Hu Y, Klinger T, Ladd I, Leppig K, Lewis M, Meyer M, Ney S, Ramaprasan A, Romagnoli K, Salvati Z, Scrol A, Schwiter R, Sheridan L, Somasundaram B, Suwannarat P, Wagner JK, Rahm AK. Feasibility and Assessment of a Cascade Traceback Screening program (FACTS): protocol for a multisite study to implement and assess an ovarian cancer traceback cascade testing program. J Pers Med. 2021 Jun 11;11(6):543. doi: 10.3390/jpm11060543. PubMed
Zhang D, Abraham L, Demb J, Miglioretti DL, Advani S, Sprague BL, Henderson LM, Onega T, Wernli KJ, Walter LC, Kerlikowske K, Schousboe JT, O'Meara ES, Braithwaite D. Function-related indicators and outcomes of screening mammography in older women: evidence from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium cohort. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2021 Aug;30(8):1582-1590. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-21-0152. Epub 2021 Jun 2. 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