Metabolic Epidemiology Branch
Defining the relationships between diet, energy balance, hormones, tobacco, and cancer
Investigators in the Metabolic Epidemiology Branch (MEB) conduct interdisciplinary research to understand the role of metabolic and lifestyle exposures in causing and preventing cancer. Some of the potentially modifiable exposures we study include diet, hormones, physical activity, and tobacco. We study how these exposures relate to a broad variety of cancers with researchers focusing on breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, liver, stomach, ovary, pancreas, prostate, and testis. We use traditional epidemiological methods combined with a variety of molecular methods including genomic analysis, metabolomics, microbiomics, and molecular pathology.
Research Mission
MEB’s research mission is to conduct collaborative high-impact epidemiological research on metabolic and lifestyle causes of cancer that will guide prevention and early intervention strategies worldwide.
We define causal relationships between diet, energy balance, hormones, tobacco, and cancer. Learn more about MEB research areas.
MEB Highlights
Tea Consumption Associated with Lower Risk of Death
Many Types of Leisure Time Activities May Lower Risk of Death for Older Adults
Fellowships
Training and mentoring the next generation of scientists is a key component of MEB’s mission. We provide research training for tenure-track investigators, post-doctoral fellows, doctoral students, masters and post-baccalaureate students, visiting fellows, and summer interns. Meet the current MEB fellows and find out about our research training opportunities.
Tools, Methods, and Resources
MEB investigators develop Web-based instruments, software tools, and other resources to support epidemiological and translational research. Find out more about MEB tools, methods and resources.
Selected Publications
- Wang, SM et al. Population attributable risks of subtypes of esophageal and gastric cancers in the United States. Am J Gastroenterol 2021.
- Saint-Maurice PF, Graubard BI, Toriano RP, et al. Number of Deaths Prevented Through Physical Activity Among US Adults. JAMA Intern Med. 2022 Jan 24.
- Arnold M et al, Global Burden of 5 Major Types of Gastrointestinal Cancer. Gastroenterology. 2020 Jul.
- Trabert B et al. Association of Circulating Progesterone with Breast Cancer Risk Among Postmenopausal Women. JAMA Network Open. 2020 Apr 1.
- GBD 2017 Stomach Cancer Collaborators (including Etemadi A*, Hashemian M). The global, regional, and national burden of stomach cancer in 195 countries, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease study 2017. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Oct 21. *First author
- Cook MB, Beachler DC, Parlett LE, et al. Testosterone therapy in relation to prostate cancer in a U.S. commercial insurance claims database. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2019 Epub 2019 Oct 22.
