DCEG News Updates
The latest news and research findings from the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics.
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AACR Video Features Stephen Chanock: A Career Committed to Defeating Cancer
Stephen Chanock was featured as part of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Stories series in a video titled, "A Career Committed to Defeating Cancer."
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Childhood Leukemia Linked to PFAS Levels Measured in Mother's First Trimester
Rena Jones, Mary Ward, and colleagues, observed increasing concentrations of a specific per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the serum of pregnant women to be associated with increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in their offspring. Investigators in the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch are the first to explore the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and risk of childhood leukemia. Their findings were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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Both Smoking-attributable and Smoking-unrelated Lung Cancer Death Rates Continue to Decline
Smoking-attributable and smoking-unrelated lung cancer death rates declined from 1991 to 2018 in the U.S., according to a new study from Dr. Meredith Shiels and colleagues.
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Anal Cancer Risk and Survival in People with HIV
A series of studies using data from the HIV/AIDS Cancer Match Study provide evidence to inform recommendations for anal cancer screening and emphasize the importance of early anal cancer detection and treatment among people with HIV. The papers were published by Drs. Haas and Shing, part of Dr. Shiels’s research group. The findings
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NIH Intramural Research Program Features Senior Investigator Shahinaz Gadalla
Shahinaz Gadalla, M.D., Ph.D., discusses her research on stem cell transplants and the path to improving survival for the NIH Intramural Research Program's news column, "Research in Action."
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Bryan Valcarcel Selected for 2023 ASH Clinical Research Training Institute Program
Bryan Valcarcel, M.D., M.P.H., postdoctoral fellow in REB, was selected for the ASH's Clinical Research Training Institute (CRTI) program, whose goal is to produce innovative leaders in clinical hematology.
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NIH Intramural Blog Profiles Postdoctoral Fellow Richard Remigio
Dr. Richard Remigio, a postdoctoral fellow in the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, discusses his work on the health repercussions of changing environmental conditions in NIH’s Intramural Research Program (IRP) blog, I am Intramural.
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Mary Lou McMaster, Senior Clinician Specialist, Retires from DCEG
Mary L. McMaster, M.D., senior clinical specialist in the clinical genetics Branch, and captain in the U.S. Public Health Service, retired from DCEG in December 2023. Dr. McMaster devoted nearly 25 years to longitudinal studies of families with rare cancer predisposition syndromes.
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2024 DCEG Fellows Awards for Research Excellence
DFAREs recognize the outstanding scientific research performed by DCEG fellows and provides funding for travel to scientific meetings or conferences.
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Poor Sleep Quality Associated with Increased Prostate Cancer Risk
Poor sleep quality, as measured by accelerometers, was associated with a 15-20% greater risk of prostate cancer in a study of over 30,000 men in the UK Biobank. Neither sleep duration nor sleep timing were associated with prostate cancer risk. These novel findings need to be replicated in future studies and in more diverse study populations.
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Differences in Knowledge of HPV and the HPV Vaccine by Education, Race, and Ethnicity
Ms. Erica Stephens and Dr. Jaimie Shing used data from a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults to ascertain awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine, as well as knowledge that HPV can cause cancers, by educational attainment, race, and ethnicity. They found profound disparities that signal the importance of continued education around HPV and the HPV vaccine.
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Clinical Director’s Corner: New Infrastructure for Family Studies’ Data
Sharon Savage, M.D., DCEG Clinical Director, describes the new, modern infrastructure for Family Studies conducted by the Clinical Genetics Branch. CHARMS is an interactive patient- and provider-facing platform for the recruitment and management of participants in CGB studies. "Clinical Director's Corner" is a new, recurring feature of Linkage, DCEG's newsletter. It will alternate with updates from Pete Kraft, Ph.D., Director of the Trans-Divisional Research Program, and Jackie Lavigne, Ph.D., M.P.H., Director of the Office of Education.
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PFAS and Cancer: Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch Research on “Forever Chemicals”
Researchers in the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch (OEEB) investigate potential cancer risks associated with exposure to PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” Learn about the findings from recent publications.
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2023 NCI Scientific Investigators Retreat
Constanza Camargo and Steve Moore presented their research; Mia Gaudet received the Women Scientist Advisors (WSA) Mentoring Award and investigators presented posters, engaged in small-group discussions, and learned about the research of their colleagues in the Center for Cancer Research.
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2023 iCURE Scholars Welcomed to DCEG
Atuahene Adu-Gyamfi, Quiera Booker, Macy Corley, Michael Kebede, Mona Miraftab, Paloma Mitra, and Erica Stephens are the 2023 incoming NCI Intramural Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (iCURE) Program Scholars.
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Biomarkers of Exposure to Combustion Products Associated with Esophageal Cancer
By-products of combustion—from pollution, cooking, heating, or other sources—were associated with elevated risk of esophageal cancer in a population without occupational exposure and where tobacco use is not common. Researchers from the Metabolic Epidemiology Branch, in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration, and laboratories at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Ultrafine Particulate Matter Associated with Lung Cancer
Ultrafine particulate matter found in traffic-related air pollution—particularly long-term exposure—is associated with elevated risk of lung cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma of the lung. Rena Jones and Debra Silverman in the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch (OEEB) conducted the study in a population of residents in California.
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Health Equity Retreat: Opportunity to Envision DCEG Research Infrastructure
On October 6, 2023, investigators, fellows, and staff across DCEG met in person and online for a discussion of the future of health disparities and health equity research in the Division. A new video about this research portfolio was launched the same week.
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Staff Recognized for Excellence at Fall 2023 Town Hall Meeting
Several awards were announced at the Fall 2023 hybrid Town Hall Meeting. They included DCEG Appreciation Award; Distinguished Scientific Service, and Outstanding Paper by a Staff Scientist and by a Fellow.
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2024 NCI Director’s Intramural Innovation Awards
Jiyeon Choi, Haoyu Zhang, and Jessica Madrigal received 2024 NCI Director’s Intramural Innovation Awards, which supports the development of highly innovative approaches and technology aimed at significant cancer–related problems.