Epidemiology Program
Research in the Epidemiology Program is focused on reducing cancer incidence, progression, and sequalae through the identification of risk factors and the translation of discoveries into preventive strategies. Through population-, laboratory-, and clinic-based research, our faculty aim to uncover knowledge that can inform and improve cancer risk prediction, prevention, prognostication, treatment assignment, surveillance, and overall health.
Our studies ask important public health and clinical questions about environmental, lifestyle, medical, and/or genetic factors that contribute to the incidence, recurrence, and mortality rates for different cancers. Our researchers investigate which genes are potentially modifiable and which ones protect against the development of cancer.
And because the public at-large serves as the source for much of our research, we’re constantly evaluating how risk factors and prognostic profiles vary across populations. We test interventions and lifestyle changes to see which improve outcomes in survivors. We also study cancer risk prediction, screening, and prognostication given the molecular heterogeneity in various types of cancer within different populations.
Faculty and Labs
Our faculty have a wide range of expertise, with many holding joint appointments or university affiliations.
Epidemiology Groups and Studies
Our work is primarily done through research groups or individual projects. We collaborate with researchers across the Hutch to share knowledge and methodologies, creating a more efficient path to better care and a cure.
APPEAL: Exercise intervention in colorectal polyp patients
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyScientists are investigating the efficacy of a moderate exercise program on colon cancer and how exercise may lower risk in humans.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Anne McTiernan, amctiern@fredhutch.org
Acute Effects of Exercise on Breast Cancer Biomarkers (ACE) Study
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyThe Acute Effects of Exercise on Breast Cancer Biomarkers (ACE Study) is enrolling women to test the effect of moderate intensity exercise on cancer risk factors such as biomarkers in healthy women. Knowing if exercise significantly alters these biomarkers, could help support guidelines for daily exercise for breast cancer prevention and could indicate that exercise even without weight loss is beneficial.
Contact: Jude Warner, acestudy@fredhutch.org
Advancing our Understanding of the Etiologies and Mutational Landscapes of Basal-like, Luminal A, and Luminal B Breast Cancer
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyAddressing research gaps in the molecular subtypes of breast cancer, researchers are taking a multidisciplinary approach to study the epidemiology and mutational landscapes of basal-like, luminal A, and luminal B tumors.
Funding Agency: DOD
Contact: Sarah Taylor, sataylor@fredhutch.org
Bacterial Correlates of Colorectal Cancer Subtypes and Survival
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyScientists identify differences in the gut bacterial community in patients with etiologically-distinct subgroups of colorectal cancer, and how those differences relate to survival.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Amanda Phipps, aphipps@fredhutch.org
Breast Health Global Initiative (BHGI)
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyThe Breast Health Global Initiative is striving to improve breast health outcomes and access to breast cancer screening, detection and treatment for women in low- and middle-income countries.
Contact: Marisa Hartman, 206.667.3538
Breast, Colorectal and Ovary Cancer Clinical Validation Center
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyAfter identifying early detection biomarkers for each of these cancers, scientists have organized phase 2 and phase 3 validation studies for clearly defined clinical applications.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Chris Li, cili@fredhutch.org
Cancer Epidemiology Research Cooperative (CERC)
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyThe Cancer Epidemiology Research Cooperative (CERC) conducts research to improve knowledge about the causes of cancer and its impact on the lives of those affected, in order to reduce cancer occurrence and suffering and to improve survival.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Care in the Tyrosine Kinase Era
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyUsing the Optum Labs/United Healthcare database, investigators review healthcare use patterns of chronic myelogenous leukemia patients treated in the tyrosine kinase inhibitor era.
Funding Agency: American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Contact: Nancy Blythe, nblythe@fredhutch.org
DOVE: A case-control study of ovarian cancer
- Mary Anne Rossing, Ph.D., D.V.M.
- Holly Harris, Sc.D., M.P.H.
Using two ovarian cancer case-control studies, scientists are trying to determine why some women develop ovarian tumors and others do not.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Holly Harris, hharris@fredhutch.org
Dexrazoxane and Prevention of Anthracycline-Related Cardiomyopathy in Childhood Cancer Survivors
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyScientists are determining the efficacy of dexrazoxane (DRZ) in reducing anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy among participants in DRZ phase 3 therapeutic trials.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Nancy Blythe, nblythe@fredhitch.org
Echocardiographic Change in Cancer Survivors at Risk for Cardiomyopathy
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyScientists are comparing the echocardiographic changes in left ventricular function and geometry for survivors of childhood cancer who experienced cardiomyopathy to those of survivors who did not.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Nancy Blythe, nblythe@fredhutch.org
Effect of Weight Loss and Exercise on Biomarkers of Breast Cancer Risk
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyInvestigators explore microRNAs and their correlation to breast cancer biomarkers, how weight loss affects their relationship to cancer and obesity, and how the genes are expressed in fat tissue.
Funding Agency: Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Contact: Anne McTiernan, amctiern@fredhutch.org
Epidemiology of HPV-related SCC in Transplant Patients
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyUsing the same baseline cohort, scientists investigate the role of HPV in renal and cardiac organ transplant recipients in two complementary population-based studies.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Margaret Madeleine, mmadelei@fredhutch.org
Epidemiology of the Four Most Frequent Cancers Following Breast Cancer
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyResearchers are studying the epidemiologic, clinical and molecular determinants of the four most common cancers diagnosed after an occurrence of invasive breast cancer.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Cecilia O'Brien, cobrien@fredhutch.org
Exercise Effects in Men & Women on Colon DNA Methylation
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyThis project will investigate the effects of physical activity on colon DNA methylation in genes related to colon cancer. Excessive DNA methylation is thought to be a risk factor for colon cancer, and no previous study has tested the effect of exercise on DNA methylation in the colon. The project includes 202 initially sedentary men and women who have already completed the trial from which colon samples will be used. In addition, we received supplemental funding for this project will investigate whether vitamin D supplementation modifies the effect of physical activity on risk factors for colorectal cancer including gene expression and activity, proliferation, and cell death. We will investigate these effects in colorectal tissue samples from initially sedentary men and women who have completed a 12-month exercise trial.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Anne McTiernan, amctiern@fredhutch.org
Exploring Invasive Placentation as a Marker of Cancer Risk in Women and Offspring
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyResearchers examine growth of the placenta into the uterine wall as a risk factor for cancer in women and their children.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Beth Mueller, bmueller@fredhutch.org
FFPE: Validation of a survival gene signature in HPV-negative oral cavity cancer
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyScientists are developing a tumor-based test to predict the survivability of certain oral cancer patients, helping them determine appropriate treatment choices.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Chu Chen, cchen@fredhutch.org
Improving Assessment and Treatment of Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Childhood Cancer Survivors
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyInvestigators are determining whether a survivorship care plan and remote counseling sessions can improve control of potentially modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among high-risk participants in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Sarah Taylor, sataylor@fredhutch.org
Late Morbidity and Mortality Among Survivors of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyResearchers are conducting a comprehensive study on the risk factors of cardiovascular disease in survivors of hematopoietic cell transplantation, including the influence of genetics, treatment and lifestyle.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Eric Chow, ericchow@u.washington.edu
Lifestyle Factors and Survival Outcomes for Colorectal Cancer Molecular Subtypes
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyScientists explore the impact of lifestyle on colorectal cancer survival, including differences based on the molecular subtypes of tumors.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Amanda Phipps, aphipps@fredhutch.org
Mammographic Density and Risk of Contralateral Breast Cancer
- Kathleen Malone, Ph.D.
- Jonine Bernstein, Ph.D.
- Julia Knight
Researchers are determining whether mammographic density can be used as a risk marker for contralateral breast cancer.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Cecilia O'Brien, cobrien@fredhutch.org
Metabolic Strategies for Discovery and Verification of Novel Biomarkers of Colorectal Cancer Recurrence
- Christopher Li, M.D., M.P.H.
- Cornelia Ulrich
Through a well-defined cohort of newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients, scientists are identifying blood-based biomarkers that can accurately predict disease recurrence.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Kathy Vickers, kvickers@fredhutch.org
Molecular Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyInvestigators are testing whether the development of endometrial cancer is related to variations in genes and how they respond to various aspects of estrogen exposure.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Chu Chen, cchen@fredhutch.org
Molecular Epidemiology of Lung Cancer
Public Health Sciences, EpidemiologyScientists are analyzing the relationship between a body’s ability to repair of smoking-induced DNA damage and the occurrences of lung cancer.
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Contact: Chu Chen, cchen@fredhutch.org
Mailing Address
Epidemiology Program
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
1100 Fairview Ave. N.
Mail Stop M4-B874
PO Box 19024
Seattle, WA 98109-1024