Program 07 Cancer Epidemiology

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Cancer Epidemiology Program Project Summary / Abstract The mission of the Cancer Epidemiology Program (CEP) is to facilitate and conduct innovative epidemiology research related to cancer and to support translation of the findings into meaningful advances in cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment. A key programmatic goal is the integration of cancer epidemiology research across the Cancer Center’s disease- and discipline-based Programs. As a result, inter- programmatic collaborations have led to the ‘forward translation’ of epidemiologic findings into prospective clinical trials and ‘reverse translation’ to laboratory studies that explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying epidemiologic observations. The Program is deeply invested in the mission of training and mentoring students and postdoctoral and clinical fellows who represent the next generation of cancer epidemiologists, especially trainees from underrepresented minority backgrounds. The Program’s 68 members (50 primary and 18 secondary) represent all seven DF/HCC institutions and 12 academic departments. In 2019, peer-reviewed grant funding attributed to the Program was $11.5 million in direct costs from the NCI and $3.8 million from other sponsors. During the current funding period, primary CEP members published 1,093 cancer-relevant papers. Of these, 47% were inter-institutional, 46% were intra- programmatic and 40% were inter-programmatic collaborations between two or more DF/HCC members. These numbers reflect the breadth of interactivity promoted by the CCSG structure and senior leaders. Program members tackle etiological questions in cancer mortality, including lifestyle factors, as well as predictive and prognostic biomarker studies. The Program emphasizes research goals in priority areas of our catchment area, the DF/HCC strategic plan, and scientific focus outlined in the NCI’s 2022 Annual Plan (obesity and cancer; cancer survivorship). For the next CCSG funding period, our Specific Aims are to accelerate science, collaboration, translation, and training in the following areas: (1) Energy balance, metabolism, and cancer; (2) Risk factors and cancer subtypes; (3) Molecular and genomic biomarkers in cancer; and (4) Factors associated with cancer mortality.