Division of Epidemiology

August 10, 2020

A step toward cancer prevention

A computational technique that combines the effect of multiple genomic variants has the potential to identify high-risk individuals for cancer prevention.

By Bill Snyder
August 6, 2020

Appendix cancer survival in young patients varies by race: study

The first study of appendiceal cancer patterns and survival by race/ethnicity among patients younger than 50 in the U.S. showed survival disparities.

By Leigh MacMillan
April 23, 2020

Polygenic scores identify those at high cancer risk

A team of Vanderbilt researchers constructed polygenic risk scores (PRS) based on genomic variants associated with eight common cancers and concluded they could potentially be used for personalized risk assessments.

By Tom Wilemon
March 26, 2020

Questions and answers on epidemiology of COVID-19

Though he specializes in chronic disease, epidemiologist Qi Dai, MD, PhD, professor of Medicine, has been closely following the international scientific literature on SARS-CoV-2 and the disease it causes, COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).

By Paul Govern
January 23, 2020

HDL-cholesterol and breast cancer risk

Genetic analyses suggest that high circulating HDL-cholesterol levels may increase breast cancer risk — a surprising finding since increased HDL-cholesterol is thought to be healthy.

By Leigh MacMillan
November 20, 2019

Study finds breast cancer recurrence score has different implications for men

A study published last year offered good news for women with early-stage ER-positive breast cancer who scored at intermediate risk for recurrence. However, a new study finds this conclusion may not directly apply to male patients with the same type of breast cancer

By Tom Wilemon
October 28, 2019

High fiber, yogurt diet associated with lower lung cancer risk

A diet high in fiber and yogurt is associated with a reduced risk for lung cancer, according to a study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers.
By Tom Wilemon
October 17, 2019

Study finds men have higher mortality rate after breast cancer diagnosis

A new study shows men with breast cancer are more likely to die than their female counterparts, across all stages of disease.
By Tom Wilemon
September 25, 2019

Study shines light on architecture of kidney disease

A study of 280,000 U.S. veterans, including 56,000 African Americans, has identified in greater detail than ever before the genetic architecture of kidney function and chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and their colleagues.
By Bill Snyder
September 19, 2019

Potential prostate cancer biomarkers

An analysis of more than 140,000 people of European ancestry has identified blood protein biomarkers associated with prostate cancer risk.
By Leigh MacMillan
August 26, 2019

Cancer susceptibility genes

Gene variants associated with cancer risk appear to contribute to carcinogenesis by regulating target genes that in turn promote the generation of mutations.
By Leigh MacMillan
August 1, 2019

Shu, Zheng receive Vietnam’s top honor for foreign scientists

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health has awarded two Vanderbilt epidemiologists the Memorabilia Medal “For the People’s Health” in appreciation for their contributions in helping the nation establish a population-based research program for cancer, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.
By Tom Wilemon
June 26, 2019

Biomarkers of DNA methylation can be a predictor of breast cancer risk

Biomarkers of DNA methylation, which regulate gene expression, can be a predictor of breast cancer risk.
By Tom Wilemon