Program Leadership
Overview
The Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Program was established to conduct exceptional translational research in cancer prevention and control. CPPS achieves this by promoting and facilitating innovative, multi-disciplinary scientific interactions focused on reducing cancer morbidity and mortality and improving cancer outcomes.
Program membership is comprised of nationally and internationally recognized scientists with expertise that spans the cancer continuum, including epidemiology, biologic and behavioral sciences, health services research, and quantitative sciences.
The setting of the program research priorities includes promoting scientific inquiry directed at addressing the cancer prevention and control needs of the people and communities of Houston metropolitan statistical area, Texas, our catchment area. This includes special emphasis to facilitate the conduct of research that addresses the cancer health disparities specific to our catchment area.
The program is organized around two major research themes:
Theme 1: Cancer etiology and primary prevention
To study the genetic and environmental etiologies of childhood and adult pre-malignancies and malignant conditions, to explore gene-environment interactions, and to promote primary prevention interventions.
Risk factors include: host genetics (rare and common variants), environmental exposures, tobacco, obesity, viruses and other infectious agents. This aim encompasses our scientific breadth and depth in the genetic and environmental causes of childhood and adult cancers, which aims to advance risk assessment and guide primary prevention efforts.
Theme 2: Secondary Prevention and Outcomes
To evaluate early detection, predictive, prognostic, behavioral, clinical and surgical measures that impact outcomes in cancer patients and high-risk individuals. Our goal is to develop behavioral interventions to reduce cancer burden and the negative consequences of cancer through individuals, families, and community engagement.
Members of this focus area seek to: 1) conduct research in screening and early detection to alleviate cancer burden; 2) understand mechanisms and predictors of cancer outcomes among patients with pediatric and adult cancers; and, 3) develop cutting-edge interventions to improve cancer symptom management and rehabilitation.
Program Structure
We are conducting innovative multidisciplinary cancer prevention and population sciences research at Baylor College of Medicine, Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center, Texas Children’s Cancer Center at Texas Children’s Hospital, Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Ben Taub Hospital/Harris Health, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, and within the Harris County area. The depth and breadth of our CPPS Program membership allows us to uniquely address the broad spectrum of cancer research.