Cancer Epidemiology & Population Based Research
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| William J. Blot, Ph.D. |
Program Description
Scientific Goals
- To evaluate novel molecular targets for cancer prevention, screening and prognosis
- To evaluate the determinants of cancer in diverse populations (including minorities & low income) and evaluate cancer control measures
- To better understand the nutritional and molecular epidemiology of cancer
- To provide effective pain and symptom management for cancer patients
Areas of Research Program Expertise
The Cancer Prevention Program was initially heavily focused on evaluating some key targets for chemoprevention of cancer. Subsequently, the VICC began developing a population-based science component for this Program. These efforts led to the successful placement of a core of internationally recognized epidemiologists and the further development of a series of population-based research studies. Particular strengths of each cohort study are the collection and banking of biologic specimens at VICC, which will be made available for assay as promising molecular hypotheses arise.
Concurrent with the expansion of epidemiologic research has been an expansion in cancer control activities. Some are directed to reducing cancer disparities and linked to the Southern Community Cohort Study, a historic prospective investigation that has enrolled over 62,000 persons age 40-79 across 12 southern states, approximately 70% of the enrollees are African American. Specific research activities of the Program include:
- Determining the molecular mechanisms involved in the chemoprevention of cancer by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Developing a strong population-based research program with the implementation of several large cohort studies with extensive biospecimen repositories
- Studying genetic factors and gene-environment interaction in the risk of several common cancers, including lung, uteri corpus, stomach, prostate, and breast.
- Studies focusing on nutrition and cancer and the advancement of novel methodologies and improving existing techniques for accurate measurement of energy metabolism, body composition, physical activity and deciphering their role in body weight regulation in healthy and diseased populations.
- Conducting research on pharmacoepidemiology, the effects of medical devices on risk of cancer and other diseases, occupational cancer epidemiology, and studies of long-term survivors of childhood cancers.
- Implementing and expanding cancer control activities in areas that include a) reducing cancer disparities, especially the higher rates of most forms of cancer among African Americans; b) administration and evaluation of cancer prevention messages; c) development of comprehensive models for assessment of screening and for individualized as well as public health management policies for colorectal cancer; and d) initiation one of the nation’s first systematic programs in cancer pain and symptom management.
Program Members
Program members and academic departmental affiliations are listed below.
- Bettina M. Beech, Dr.P.H, M.P.H., Associate Director of Health Disparties Research, VICC, Associate Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine & Public Health) and Surgery
- Thomas John Bender, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Medical Epidemiologist
- William J. Blot, Ph.D., Professor
- John D. Boice, Sc.D., Professor
- Olivier Boutaud, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor
- Stephen P. Bruehl, Ph.D., Associate Professor
- Maciej S. Buchowski, Ph.D., Research Assoc. Professor
- Raymond F. Burk, M.D., Professor of Medicine
- Qiuyin Cai, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Kong Y. Chen, Ph.D., Assistant Professsor
- Bruce E. Compas, Ph.D., Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Psychology and Human Development
- Pelayo Correa, M.D., Professor, Anne Potter Wilson Endowed Chair in Cancer Research
- Qi Dai, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine & Public Health)
- Sudhansu K. Dey, Ph.D., Professor
- Robert S. Dittus, M.D., M.P.H., Harvie Branscomb Distinguished Professor, Albert & Bernard Werthan Professor of Medicine, Chief, Division of General Internal Medicine, Director, Center for Health Services Research
- Ann Marie Flores, P.T., Ph.D., M.S., M.A., Assistant Professor
- Jay H. Fowke, Ph.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor
- Debra L. Friedman, M.D., Leader, Cancer Control and Prevention Program, Ingram Distinguished Chair of Pediatric Oncology, Associate Professor
- Mary Jo Gilmer, Ph.D., M.B.A., R.N., Associate Professor
- Marie R. Griffin, M.D., M.P.H., Professor
- Kirsten Haman, PhD, Research Assistant Professor
- Margaret Hargreaves, Ph.D., Professor
- Asha R. Kallianpur, M.D. , MPH, Assistant Professor
- Jirong Long, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine & Public Health)
- Charles E. Matthews, Ph.D., Asst Professor
- Joseph K. McLaughlin, Ph.D., Professor
- Barbara A. Murphy, M.D., Director, Cancer Supportive Care Program, Director, Head and Neck Research Program, Associate Professor of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology)
- Reid M. Ness, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine (Gastroentorology, Hepatology and Nutrition)
- John A. Oates, M.D., Thomas F Frist Sr Prof Med, Prof Pharmacology
- Wayne A. Ray, Ph.D., Prof Preventive Med
- Sheila H. Ridner, M.S.H.S.A. ,M.S.N., Ph.D., R.N., Assistant Professor
- Linda P. Riley, Ph.D., R.N., Research Associate
- L. Jackson Roberts, M.D., Prof Pharmacology & Med
- David Schlundt, Ph.D., Assoc Prof Psych
- Martha J. Shrubsole, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine & Public Health)
- Xiao-Ou Shu, M.D., MPH, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine and Public Health)
- Lisa B. Signorello, Sc.D., Assistant Professor
- Heidi J. Silver, Ph.D., R.D., Research Assistant Professor of Medicine
- Flora Ukoli, MBBS, MPH, Associate Professor of Surgery (Meharry)
- Conrad Wagner, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry
- Kenneth A. Wallston, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology in Nursing
- Nancy Wells, DNSc., R.N., Research Professor of Nursing, Director, VUMC Nursing
- Wanqing Wen, M.D., Research Associate Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine and Public Health)
- Gong Yang, M.D., MPH, Research Assistant Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine and Public Health)
- Yajun (Andrew) Yi, M.D., Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor of Medicine (Genetic Medicine)
- Wei Zheng, M.D., Ph.D, M.P.H., Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine and Public Health), Director, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center
