Abstract
With the accelerating pace of discoveries of human genetic variation, and molecular, biochemical, and cellular technologies for cancer care and prevention, there is an urgent need to develop population‐level research, policy and practice processes to translate basic science discoveries into actions that reduce the population burden of cancer in the United States. The emerging scientific translation needs in the genomics era are substantial. Clinical and population sciences are now urgently needed to assess the distribution of genetic variants and their products biomarkers, and interactions with other genes and environmental factors. New methods are needed to assess the contribution of genes and gene‐environment interactions (behavior, nutrition, chemicals, and other exposures) to individual and population risks for various cancers. Behavioral and social sciences are needed to assess how genetic information can be used to effect behavior change to reduce the burden of cancer. As importantly, delivery research on clinical utility, effectiveness, and economics of genomics‐based health care applications are needed to assess their added value in cancer care and prevention. Genomics and related fields will also affect surveillance, dissemination and diffusion research as well as evaluation of cancer progression and survivorship. Without the expansion of clinical and population sciences in genomics, the promise of genome research and discoveries may not reach its full potential in the genomics era.
Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):PL03-02.
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