Cancer Prevention and Control Research

Cancer Prevention and Control

Making a difference in the community

Cancer is the most common cause of death in Oregon, making prevention and control a statewide priority. The Knight Cancer Institute (KCI) Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC) Program goal is to reduce cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality via innovative, transdisciplinary research that translates discoveries from basic, clinical, and population health to those with high cancer risk and underserved (e.g., rural) populations. Research spans the cancer continuum from prevention and early detection to survivorship, interfacing with other KCI programs and, in concert with Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC), engaging trainees at all levels. A key focus is accelerating translation of cancer control strategies into practice, aligning with the KCI strategic plan and in collaboration with Community Outreach and Engagement (COE). Program co-leaders have complementary expertise. Flocke conducts health services and implementation research in tobacco cessation and leads Aim 1, new member orientation, and provides mentorship. Winters-Stone studies how exercise can act as a countermeasure to the impact of cancer treatment on symptoms that compromise survival, function, and quality of life, leading Aim 3 and liaising with COE. Both support Aim 2 and work with CRTEC. Assistant Program Leader, Sullivan, recruited for succession planning, is a pulmonologist studying how to improve quality of life and care for patients with and at risk for lung cancer. 

CPC research addresses the following Specific Aims:

Aim 1. To prevent and reduce cancer risk through research that identifies and addresses risk factors and etiology. Members use basic, clinical, and population science approaches to identify risk factors for multiple cancer types (e.g., young-onset breast cancer, ovarian cancer) and potential targets for future intervention to reduce cancer incidence. Research also focuses on the design, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion and prevention interventions, such as smoking cessation and increasing physical activity.

Aim 2. To develop new approaches and evaluate multi-level strategies to increase adoption of cancer screening and early detection. Members evaluate approaches to increase evidence-based screening by understanding individual and health system factors that enhance engagement, implementing tools to inform cancer risk and screening, and assessing impact of early detection strategies in underserved groups. Members also evaluate novel technologies and markers to improve early detection of cancer.

Aim 3. To investigate how cancer and its treatment impact survivorship and develop and test interventions to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer. Members characterize and investigate mechanisms of cancer treatment sequelae, assess targeted pharmacologic and behavioral intervention approaches to improve quality of life for people impacted by cancer and their caregivers, and improve management of people with advanced cancer, including at end of life, through better healthcare delivery.

Program Leaders

Program Members