Making a difference in the community

Cancer is the most common cause of death in Oregonians, making cancer prevention and control key statewide objectives. Research within the Cancer Prevention and Control program is focused on reducing cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality through innovative approaches that translate knowledge from the bench to at-risk populations and communities.

Research Themes

Research is organized in three thematic areas to address strategic points along the cancer continuum:

1. Prevention and Risk Reduction

Research in this area encompasses identification of at-risk populations, use of cross-species investigations to understand the basic biology of cancer risk, with an emphasis on dysregulated development and inflammation, and translation to humans including risk reduction through health-promotion interventions and chemoprevention.

2. Early Detection and Screening

Researchers investigate ways to increase effective cancer screening with an emphasis on underserved populations, development and implementation of evidence-based screening guidelines and improving the performance of currently used screening tests.

3. Survivorship

Research is organized into interdisciplinary programs that investigate:

• The mechanisms of cancer treatment-related sequelae
• Targeted therapeutic approaches to improve quality of life in cancer survivors
• Communication patterns among patients, families and providers from initial diagnosis to end-of-life decisions