Program Overview

Cancer Prevention & Control (CPC) Research Program

The long-term goal of the Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC) research program at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is to reduce the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of cancer and eliminate inequities contributing to the cancer burden in Indiana and beyond.

Theme 1: Risk Reduction, Early Detection

Aim 1

Identify genetic, biological, social, and behavioral risk factors for the development of major cancers affecting the people of Indiana.

Aim 2

Develop and evaluate innovative models and interventions to reduce cancer risk, improve screening, and increase early detection of cancers.

Theme 2: Survivorship, Symptom Science

Aim 3

Identify genetic, biological, social, and pharmacogenomic risk factors associated with cancer symptoms and treatment-related toxicities.

Aim 4

Develop and test interventions to reduce treatment-related symptoms and enhance survivorship for cancer patients and their families.

Team Science

• Eric Walsh-Buhi, PhD: Research focuses on using innovative technologies in health communication and the promotion of health behavior change.
• Bryan P. Schneider, MD: Medical oncologist with clinical expertise in breast cancer and precision oncology, researching therapeutic individualization and the burden of cancer on communities.

Target: Taxane and Taxane-Induced Neuropathy

Bryan P. Schneider, MD, has uncovered a higher likelihood of therapy-associated toxicity for patients of African descent and found that germline genetic variants might further refine risk for taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Active CPC Clinical Trials

• Cognitive Dysfunction: Mobile Device CBT for Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Dysfunction.
• Fear of Recurrence: Facilitating Adaptive Coping with Fear of Recurrence Among Breast Cancer Survivors.

Team Science: More CPC Investigators Changing Lives

• Sheri Robb, PhD: Music-based interventions.
• Lauren Nephew, MD: Health care disparities.
• Catherine Mosher, PhD: Reducing symptom-related suffering.
• Francesca Duncan, MD: Fighting health disparities in lung cancer.
• Natalia Rodriguez, PhD: HPV and cervical cancer screening in homeless populations.

Target: Vaccine Hesitancy

Monica Kasting, PhD, studies ways to improve preventive health behaviors, including vaccine uptake and hesitancy for human papillomavirus and COVID-19.

Target: Cognitive Dysfunction After Chemotherapy

CPC researcher Brenna McDonald, PsyD, received a $3 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to study cognitive dysfunction after chemotherapy.

Team Science: National Leaders in Cancer Prevention and Control

• Victoria Champion, PhD, RN: Namesake of IU School of Nursing's Champion Center for Cancer Control Research.
• Bryan Schneider, MD: Principal investigator of the PERSEVERE Study.
• Lois Travis, MD, ScD: Principal investigator of the Platinum Study.