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:
Lowry KP, Trentham-Dietz A, Schechter CB, Alagoz O, Barlow WE, Burnside ES, Conant EF, Hampton JM, Huang H, Kerlikowske K, Lee SJ, Miglioretti DL, Sprague BL, Tosteson ANA, Yaffe M, Stout NK. Long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness of breast cancer screening with digital breast tomosynthesis in the United States. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2019 Sep 10. pii: 5567105. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djz184. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
Lee CI, Houssami N, Elmore JG, Buist DSM. Pathways to breast cancer screening artificial intelligence algorithm validation. Breast. 2019 Sep 9. pii: S0960-9776(19)30554-5. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2019.09.005. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
Check DK, Hutcheson KA, Poisson LM, Pocobelli G, Sakoda LC, Zaveri J, Chang SS, Chubak J. Factors associated with employment discontinuation among older and working age survivors of oropharyngeal cancer. Head Neck. 2019 Sep 6. doi: 10.1002/hed.25943. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
Demb J, Abraham L, Miglioretti DL, Sprague BL, O'Meara ES, Advani S, Henderson LM, Onega T, Buist DSM, Schousboe JT, Walter LC, Kerlikowske K, Braithwaite D. Screening mammography outcomes: risk of breast cancer and mortality by comorbidity score and age. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2019 Sep 6. pii: 5556084. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djz172. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
Smith-Bindman R, Kwan ML, Marlow EC, Theis MK, Bolch W, Cheng SY, Bowles EJA, Duncan JR, Greenlee RT, Kushi LH, Pole JD, Rahm AK, Stout NK, Weinmann S, Miglioretti DL. Trends in use of medical imaging in US health care systems and in Ontario, Canada, 2000-2016. JAMA. 2019;322(9):843-856. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.11456. 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