In 2001, approximately 135,400 Americans are expected to develop colorectal cancer, and 56,700 individuals will die from the disease. Though 80% of patients present at a stage when all apparent diseased tissue can be surgically resected, up to 40% of these patients will suffer from recurrence. Depth of tumor invasion and nodal status are considered the most important predictors of recurrence, and are the primary factors used by clinicians in recommending to patients adjuvant therapy after surgery. However, there is considerable variation in the outcome of patients with colorectal cancer not explained by traditional prognostic factors. The candidate for this award will utilize databases from two large, randomized adjuvant therapy trials to study other prognostic factors on outcomes in colon and rectal cancer. Specifically, these databases provide an opportunity to study the influence of potential modifiable treatment and patient characteristics on short- and long-term outcomes in patients with potentially curable colon and rectal cancers treated with surgery and adjuvant therapy.
The specific aims of this proposal are (1) to examine whether hospital surgical volume and hospital characteristics affect cancer recurrence, overall survival, and treatment-related toxicity in patients undergoing curative surgery and adjuvant therapy for stages II and III rectal cancer, and (2) to examine the impact of diet and lifestyle on colon cancer recurrence and survival. Completion of these projects will improve our understanding of how potentially modifiable factors affect outcomes in patients treated with curative surgery and standard adjuvant therapy. These projects will provide insight into dietary and lifestyle behaviors of patients with colon cancer and which behaviors impact outcomes. Finally, these projects will allow the candidate to gain invaluable experience in database analysis and clinical epidemiologic and health outcomes research. The candidate will complete a Masters in Public Health (MPH) degree and advanced courses at the Harvard School of Public Health during the first two years of the proposed award. The projects will be performed under the mentorship of Dr. Charles Fuchs, a well-established researcher in prevention and health services research. At the completion of the project, the candidate will have gained the experience to become an independent researcher in clinical epidemiologic and health outcomes research.
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