Cancer Prevention and Control

About 42% of cancer cases and 45% of cancer deaths in the U.S. are believed to be preventable. The Cancer Prevention and Control research program at The University of Kansas Cancer Center brings together researchers focused on identifying new ways to prevent cancer and improve cancer outcomes, with a focus on high-risk and underserved communities in the cancer center’s catchment area. This includes: 

1. Developing, testing and implementing innovative strategies to modify behaviors that drive cancer risk and cancer incidence disparities
2. Identifying biomarker-driven and other testing strategies that detect cancer earlier and/or reduce cancer risk
3. Developing and disseminating behavioral, nutritional and clinical support interventions to address the impact of cancer

Cancer Prevention and Control members represent a rich mix of expertise, including behavioral science, neuroscience, primary care, nursing, oncology, epidemiology, economics, translational biology, pharmacology, communications, biostatistics, and health services research. Their work has led to a better understanding of the cancer control needs in the cancer center’s catchment area; improved capacity to analyze the needs of affected and at-risk populations; identification of novel precancerous models and new biomarkers; improved strategies to detect and prevent cancer in high-risk patients; better strategies for the design and delivery of cancer prevention and control messages; and improved delivery of tobacco control, cancer screening, physical activity, obesity and survivorship programs at the level of both the clinical practice and the community-at-large.

The Cancer Prevention and Control research program is led by Edward Ellerbeck, MD, MPH, Jennifer Klemp, PhD, MPH, Kristy Brown, PhD and Nikki Nollen, PhD.