Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center Archives
Structural variants in breast cancer risk genes
Sep. 16, 2021—Vanderbilt epidemiologists conducted in-depth whole genome sequencing of breast cancer risk genes in Black women, who die at higher rates and have more aggressive disease, to discover mutations that may improve testing and treatment selection.
Zheng named VICC associate director for Population Sciences Research
Apr. 21, 2021—Wei Zheng, MD, PhD, MPH, Anne Potter Wilson Professor of Medicine, has been named associate director for Population Sciences Research at Vanderbilt- Ingram Cancer Center (VICC).
Study incorporates genetics with smoking history to identify high-risk smokers for lung cancer screening
Mar. 9, 2021—A study by Vanderbilt researchers that analyzed both smoking history and genetic risk variants for lung cancer supports modifying current guidelines to include additional smokers for lung cancer screening.
New markers of colorectal cancer risk
Oct. 29, 2020—Vanderbilt epidemiologists identified new markers for colorectal cancer risk and characterized a previously unidentified tumor suppressor that regulates overall tumor volume in vivo.
Fibroids and birth outcomes
Sep. 8, 2020—Women with three or more uterine fibroids — non-cancerous growths — during pregnancy are more likely to have infants with reduced birthweight and may need additional surveillance.
A step toward cancer prevention
Aug. 10, 2020—A computational technique that combines the effect of multiple genomic variants has the potential to identify high-risk individuals for cancer prevention.
Appendix cancer survival in young patients varies by race: study
Aug. 6, 2020—The first study of appendiceal cancer patterns and survival by race/ethnicity among patients younger than 50 in the U.S. showed survival disparities.
Polygenic scores identify those at high cancer risk
Apr. 23, 2020—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.
Meat intake and colorectal polyps
Mar. 9, 2020—Red and processed meat intakes are strongly associated with increased risk of sessile serrated polyps, which are not as well studied as conventional adenomas.
HDL-cholesterol and breast cancer risk
Jan. 23, 2020—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.
Potential prostate cancer biomarkers
Sep. 19, 2019—An analysis of more than 140,000 people of European ancestry has identified blood protein biomarkers associated with prostate cancer risk.
Shu, Zheng receive Vietnam’s top honor for foreign scientists
Aug. 1, 2019—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.
