Abstract
The Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics is conducting a new prospective cohort study of 150,000-200,000 adults in the US to further investigate the etiology of cancer and its outcomes, which can inform new approaches in precision prevention and early detection. The new cohort will capitalize on recent developments that provide unprecedented opportunities to advance the field of cancer epidemiology and prevention, including 1) innovative technologies (e.g., tracking and sensor technologies to measure behavior and environment); 2) large-scale analyses of the genome, epigenome, transcriptome, proteome, metabolome, and microbiome; 3) molecular profiling of tumors and precursor lesions to study the natural history of cancer and its etiologic heterogeneity. This cohort will be conducted within a set of integrated health care systems (HCS), with electronic medical records (EMRs), a passive follow-up system that is both cost effective and thorough, and existing clinical infrastructure for specimen collection. Consented participants will complete an online questionnaire at baseline and periodically throughout the duration of follow-up. Passive follow-up via tumor registries and EMRs will provide outcome information for cancers and their precursors. Blood, urine, and saliva samples will be collected at baseline and repeatedly during follow-up in local clinics. Additional biologic specimens including fecal and tissue specimens will be collected. This state-of-the-art cohort will be built with an efficient, flexible, and integrated infrastructure that makes the most of modern interoperability standards in order to serve as a research workhorse for future generations of scientists in the intramural and extramural research community.
Citation Format: Stephen Chanock, on behalf of the Cohort Executive Committee. A prospective cohort study embedded into integrated health care systems in the US to study cancer etiology, prevention, and early detection [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Modernizing Population Sciences in the Digital Age; 2019 Feb 19-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(9 Suppl):Abstract nr IA12.
