Cancer Prevention

Gastrointestinal cancers are a leading cause of death in the United States (U.S.), as well as in Los Angeles. Detecting and treating them early saves lives.

Our center is committed to work that ensures every person, no matter who they are, can access this care.

Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S. and research is finding a spike in new diagnoses among younger adults.  Our research aims to close the gap in screening by changing the behavior of patients, doctors, and health systems.

• Rise in colorectal cancer cases in adults under age 50 in the U.S.
  • Using data from national cancer registries, we collaborated with other national experts to highlight recent changes in who gets and dies from colorectal cancer. The report shows higher rates in young Americans over time.
  • Birth cohort colorectal cancer (CRC): Implications for research and practice
  • PI: Dr. Folasade P. May
  • Source of funding: NIH, Stand Up to Cancer, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center

Esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer affects nearly 22,000 Americans every year, though it is among the most preventable and treatable cancers in early stages. Our team’s work shows that investing in early screening and patient education can save lives.

• Esophageal cancer in younger adults is often advanced but treatable
  • Using multiple cancer registries, we found that adults less than 50 years old often have advanced disease, but their treatment outcomes are better compared to those about 50. This work builds a case to screen for esophageal cancer in younger adults.
  • Early-onset esophageal adenocarcinoma presents with advanced-stage disease but has improved survival compared with older individuals
  • PI: Dr. Jennifer M. Kolb
  • Sources of funding: NIH, American College of Gastroenterology

Liver cancer

Liver cancer is the fastest growing cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. Individuals with chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis B and cirrhosis, are at the highest risk of developing liver cancer. Our team’s work is focused on improving how we detect and treat liver cancer early.

• Increasing the accuracy of detecting liver cancer in electronic health records
  • This paper highlights a very accurate approach used by our research team for identifying liver cancer cases in the electronic health record, which is often difficult to perform in research.
  • Improving the accuracy and precision of disease identification when utilizing EHR data for research: The case for hepatocellular carcinoma
  • PI: Dr. Carrie R. Wong
  • Sources of funding: Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Clinical Translational Science Institute at UCLA, National Center for Advancing Translational Science of the National Institutes of Health
     
• Assessing risk of portal hypertension using EUS-PPG
  • Work conducted by Dr. Kolb’s team, across multiple medical centers, revealed that a novel endoscopic technique, called endoscopic ultrasound-guided portosystemic pressure gradient measurement (EUS-PPG), is a safe and effective strategy for assessing risk of portal hypertension in adults who are undergoing upper endoscopy.
  • Endoscopic ultrasound-guided portosystemic pressure gradient correlates with clinical parameters and liver histology
  • PI: Dr. Jennifer M. Kolb
  • Source of funding: NA