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:
Nicholson BD, Thompson MJ, Hobbs R, Nguyen M, McLellan J, Green BB, Chubak J, Oke JL. Measured weight loss as a precursor to cancer diagnosis: a retrospective cohort study of 43,032 primary care patients. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2022 Jul 28. doi: 10.1002/jcsm.13051. Online ahead of print. PubMed
Li Y, Hwang WT, Maude SL, Teachey DT, Frey NV, Myers RM, Barz Leahy A, Liu H, Porter DL, Grupp SA, Shaw PA. Statistical considerations for analyses of time-to-event endpoints in oncology clinical trials: illustrations with CAR-T immunotherapy studies. Clin Cancer Res. 2022 Jul 15:CCR-22-0560. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-22-0560. Online ahead of print. PubMed
Haas CB, Bowles EJA, Lee JM, Specht J, Buist DSM. Accuracy of tumor registry versus pharmacy dispensings for breast cancer adjuvant endocrine therapy. Cancer Causes Control. 2022 Jul 7. doi: 10.1007/s10552-022-01603-9. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
Holman A, Kross E, Crothers K, Cole A, Wernli K, Triplette M. Patient perspectives on longitudinal adherence to lung cancer screening. Chest. 2022 Jul;162(1):230-241. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2022.01.054. Epub 2022 Feb 8. PubMed
Sarma EA, Thompson MJ, Bowles EJA, Burnett-Hartman AN, Hubbard RA, Yu O, Chubak J. Patient and tumour characteristics of screening-age adults diagnosed with screen-detected versus symptomatic colon cancer. Colorectal Dis. 2022 Jun 23. doi: 10.1111/codi.16232. 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