Cancer is complex and can be a devastating diagnosis for individuals and their families. Our researchers work to improve cancer control on many levels, from prevention and screening through treatment and survivorship.
Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) has been studying how to provide life-saving breast cancer screening since 1986. In a novel initiative, researchers used a computer-based registry and collaborations with organizations across the U.S. before electronic health records existed and multi-site studies were common. The program led to a rich portfolio of studies on breast, colorectal, blood, cervical, lung, and thyroid cancers.
“Decades later, Kaiser Permanente Washington is just as committed to developing and evaluating innovations in cancer care,” says Karen Wernli, PhD, KPWHRI associate investigator.
Our work in prevention and screening includes:
KPWHRI studies also span treatment and survivorship, such as:
The core of KPWHRI cancer research lies in its participation in many collaborative networks and programs. “Collaboration increases the power of Kaiser Permanente studies and helps us learn from different populations and health care settings,” says Senior Investigator Jessica Chubak, PhD. Examples of these networks include:
Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC)
The BCSC identifies strategies that detect breast cancer early, minimize harms, and reach diverse communities. Results help policymakers and health systems improve breast cancer screening and surveillance outcomes. The Kaiser Permanente Washington Breast Imaging Registry contributes to this national effort and the BCSC Statistical Coordinating Center resides at KPWHRI.
Population-based Research to Optimize the Screening Process (PROSPR)
The PROSPR national consortium conducts research to improve screening for cervical, colon, and lung cancers. PROSPR results will help optimize and tailor screening for different subgroups of the population.
Kaiser Permanente Research Bank (KPRB) Cancer Cohort
The KPRB Cancer Cohort is a national resource for understanding genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors that contribute to cancer etiology and survival. Electronic health record data, stored tissue specimens, detailed treatment data, and the ability to follow patients for recurrence and mortality are accelerating progress toward improved cancer care.
Selected KPWHRI cancer research projects include:
Ramin C, Gierach GL, Abubakar M, Veiga LHS, Vo JB, Curtis RE, Bowles EJ, Feigelson HS, Buist DSM, de Gonzalez AB, Bodelon C. The influence of treatment on hormone receptor subgroups and breast cancer-specific mortality within US integrated healthcare systems. Cancer Causes Control. 2022 May 18. doi: 10.1007/s10552-022-01589-4. Online ahead of print. PubMed
Lee JK, Lam AY, Jensen CD, Marks AR, Badalov J, Layefsky E, Kao K, Ho NJ, Schottinger JE, Ghai NR, Carlson CM, Halm EA, Green B, Li D, Corley DA, Levin TR. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on fecal immunochemical testing, colonoscopy services, and colorectal neoplasia detection in a large United States community-based population. Gastroenterology. 2022 May 14:S0016-5085(22)00503-0. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.05.014. PubMed
Henrikson NB, Anderson ML, Dickerson J, Ewing JJ, Garcia R, Keast E, King DA, Lewis C, Locher B, McMullen C, Norris CM, Petrik AF, Ramaprasan A, Rivelli JS, Schneider JL, Shulman L, Tuzzio L, Banegas MP. The Cancer Financial Experience (CAFÉ) study: randomized controlled trial of a financial navigation intervention to address cancer-related financial hardship. Trials. 2022 May 13;;23(1):402. doi: 10.1186/s13063-022-06344-3. PubMed
Lawson MB, Herschorn SD, Sprague BL, Buist DSM, Lee SJ, Newell MS, Lourenco AP, Lee JM. Imaging surveillance options for individuals with a personal history of breast cancer: AJR expert panel narrative review. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2022 May 11. doi: 10.2214/AJR.22.27635. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
Chubak J, Lund JL. Noncancer comparators in cancer survivorship studies. Cancer. 2022 May 3. doi: 10.1002/cncr.34253. Online ahead of print. PubMed
![]() Melissa L. Anderson, MSSenior Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Erin J. Bowles, MPHManager, Collaborative Science |
![]() David S. Carrell, PhDAssociate Investigator |
![]() Jessica Chubak, PhDSenior Investigator |
![]() Yates Coley, PhDAssistant Biostatistics Investigator |
![]() Andrea J. Cook, PhDSenior Biostatistics Investigator |
![]() Marlaine Gray, PhDAssistant Investigator |
![]() Beverly B. Green, MD, MPHSenior Investigator |
![]() Nora Henrikson, PhD, MPHAssociate Investigator |
![]() Laura E. Ichikawa, MSSenior Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Aruna Kamineni, PhD, MPHAssistant Investigator |
![]() Cara C. Lewis, PhDSenior Investigator |
![]() Jennifer B. McClure, PhDDirector, Investigative Science |
![]() Ellen O'Meara, PhDPrincipal Collaborative Scientist |
![]() Lorella Palazzo, PhDCollaborative Scientist |
![]() Gaia Pocobelli, PhDCollaborative Scientist |
![]() Rod L. Walker, MSSenior Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Robert D. Wellman, MSSenior Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Karen Wernli, PhDAssociate Investigator |
![]() Onchee Yu, MSSenior Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Weiwei Zhu, MSSenior Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Yu-Ru Su, PhDAssistant Biostatistics Investigator |
![]() Brian D. Williamson, PhDAssistant Biostatistics Investigator |
![]() Noorie Hyun, PhDAssistant Biostatistics Investigator |
![]() Pamela A. Shaw, PhD, MSSenior Biostatistics Investigator |
Wylie Burke, MD, PhD
University of Washington (UW) Department of Medical History and Ethics
Joann G. Elmore, MD, MPH
Harborview Medical Center; UW Department of Epidemiology
Larry Kessler, ScD
UW Department of Health Services
Constance D. Lehman, MD, PhD
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance; UW Department of Radiology
Kathy Leppig, MD
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington; UW Department of Pathology
Peggy L. Porter, MD
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC); UW Department of Pathology
Emily White, PhD
FHCRC; UW Department of Epidemiology
Rachel Winer, PhD, MPH
Fred Hutchinson/UW Cancer Consortium; UW Department of Epidemiology