FUTURE PLANS
Within each of our two Program aims, the following describes specific priority areas for future growth.
Aim 1: Decrease the incidence and slow the progression of cancer
Progression of Current Research
1) Increase our translation of basic science research to population sciences, particularly in the area of chemoprevention. Translational and inter-programmatic research is a high-priority area for the Cancer Control Program. We have already made significant accomplishments in this area with our work in vitamin D and soy. We plan to build on these existing collaborations and develop new ones through our Centers of Excellence (Breast, Prostate, and Brain), the formation of special interest groups, and with targeted recruitment of new faculty.
2) Integrate biologic measures into existing cohort studies. One of the strengths of the CCCWFU is our access to large cohort studies and clinical trials through faculty in the Division of Public Health Sciences (PHS). Some of these include: Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), The Insulin Resistance and Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS), Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD), Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), Atherosclerotic Risk in Communities (ARIC), and Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD). These studies offer Cancer Control members opportunities to address important scientific questions in the incidence and progression of cancer by taking advantage of existing data or cohorts with accompanying clinical and biological data.
3) Risk/benefit communication in the context of genetic testing. In light of rapid advances in genetic testing, the ways in which we communicate genetic risk and the impact of genetic testing on the individual and his or her family increase in importance. While advances in genetics hold great promise for improved prevention, early detection, and treatment, genetic testing also poses certain medical and psychological risks.
Aim 2: Survivorship: Improve quality of life and increase survival
1) Expand survivorship research to include the impact of cancer on the family and the transition period from patient to survivor. A cancer diagnosis and its subsequent treatment impact a cancer patient’s family as well as the patient. The transition from active treatment to post-treatment care can sometimes be a difficult period for cancer patients. We have targeted these areas of survivorship as high priority areas for future research.
2) Symptom management. We have targeted this area for future development to build on our existing nucleus of Program members interested in symptom management. Members of the Cancer Control Program, as well as the Clinical Program, have an interest in CAM treatments for symptom management, which integrates well with our Research Base focus.
3) Cognition and cancer and cancer treatment. In December 2005, we held a half day retreat in which 20 investigators from different areas (Cognitive Aging, Comparative Medicine, Neurobiology, and Radiation Oncology) came together to share their research and identify areas for cross-disciplinary collaborative research projects focusing on human cognition and cancer.