CANCER PREVENTION, CONTROL AND POPULATION RESEARCH

PROGRAM LEADERS

	Gregory S. Cooper, MD Professor, Medicine-Gastroenterology gxc12@case.edu
	Susan A. Flocke, PhD Associate Professor, Family Medicine susan.flocke@case.edu

Program Themes | Program Information | Program Activities | Program Members

PROGRAM THEMES

All three scientific themes emphasize development and application of novel methods and community and database laboratories. All themes emphasize and benefit from transdisciplinary approaches. Research to understand and eliminate cancer disparities is a cross-cutting focus of all 3 themes.

• Understanding and improving cancer prevention and early detection in practice.
  Areas of emphasis include factors affecting cancer prevention and early detection in real-world settings and both systems and community interventions. The research is accomplished through observational and intervention research within community and primary care settings, with special attention given to high-risk populations.
• Enhancing delivery and access to cancer treatment and preventive services for patients, their families, and persons at risk.
  This research examines development of communications around treatment decision-making, informed consent for cancer clinical trials, end of life care, and the use of genetic and familial information to inform patient and family decisions about preventive interventions. Emphasis is placed on the development of decision aids, the use of new technologies to aid the accessibility of complex medical information, and reduction of cancer and cancer care disparities.
• Cancer epidemiology and health services research.
  Areas of emphasis include surveillance studies, large database studies that generate and test cancer control hypotheses, and outcomes research. This research generates new knowledge about cancer risk factors and health service delivery to inform interventions to reduce the cancer burden and disparities.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

This Program aims to reduce cancer burden by identifying and evaluating interventions that are tailored to the unique risks of vulnerable populations and specific health care delivery settings. The Program has developed community and practice "laboratories" that are based on the active participation of those affected by the research. These laboratories include practice-based research networks, underserved community populations, a large database laboratory, and Cancer Center clinical populations. A strong emphasis on the development and application of innovative multimethod techniques provides the foundation for this program of research. Priority is given to research that has high potential to translate innovative cancer prevention and control interventions into clinical practice and population applications. We also emphasize the use of coherent conceptual models based on theory and data drawn from systematic observational research. Research in this program has been catalyzed through formal and informal mentorship, pilot study funds, training programs, conferences and retreats, and the development and use of Cancer Center Core Facilities. The program has spun off a new program in Cancer and Aging, and has developed a research initiative in cancer statistical genetics that is now part of the Cancer Genetics Program.

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

PROGRAM MEMBERS