Research Topics
Cancer Care and Prevention
Cancer occurs when some of the body’s cells divide without stopping and spread into surrounding tissues. Malfunctioning genes trigger the formation of cancer cells, and those malfunctions may be inherited, or may arise as a result of damage to DNA caused by certain environmental exposures—including chemicals or ultraviolet radiation. Cancer screenings are a key preventive care measure, and can help detect cancer in its early stages—which can contribute to early treatment, increased survival rates, and better health outcomes.
VA conducts cancer research to help better understand how Veterans’ military experience may impact the development of certain cancers; how lifestyle choices known to cause cancer—such as tobacco use—may disproportionately impact them; and to build the evidence-base for effective, appropriate cancer screening tests and tools.
Each section below is populated by a search of the HSR website. Search results are generated based on the search term "Cancer". Results are updated as new data are available.
VIEW: Citations | Publication Briefs | Studies | HSR Briefs, Reports, Newsletters | Cyberseminars | Videos | Podcasts | Other Resources
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Citations
(5 of more than 3812 CANCER focused publications)
- Hassan, Tague, Klein, Lund. Treatment duration of immune checkpoint inhibitors and overall survival in U.S. veterans with Cancer. Journal of oncology pharmacy practice : official publication of the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners. 2025 Jul 11; 10781552251357811, DOI: 10.1177/10781552251357811.
- Asiimwe E, May F, Bendavid E. Annual cases of colon cancer by age group after Medicaid expansion in the USA in 2014: a difference-in-differences study. BMJ open. 2025 Jun 23; 15(6):e099058, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-099058.
- Hahn EE, Haupt EC, Chawla N, Osuji TA, Shen E, Smitherman AB, Casperson M, Kirchhoff AC, Zebrack BJ, Laurent CA, Keegan THM, Abrahão R, Ruddy KJ, Chubak J, Nichols HB, Wernli KJ. Transitions Within and Use of Outpatient Primary and Oncology Care in Survivors of Adolescent and Young Adult-Onset Cancers. JCO oncology practice. 2025 Jun 20; OP2400886, DOI: 10.1200/OP-24-00886.
- Juarez Casillas JE, Nikitas J, Rettig MB, Reiter RE, Lee A, Steinberg ML, Valle L, Kalbasi TR, Calais J, Czernin J, Eala MA, Tsai S, Kane N, Solanki AA, Sexton R, Duriseti S, Berenji GR, Aronson WJ, Garraway IP, Chang MG, Kwon R, Lee SP, Nickols NG, Kishan AU. Pooled Analysis of the SOLAR and SATURN Clinical Trials Comparing Progression of Synchronous Versus Metachronous Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen-defined Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer Following Systemic and Tumor-directed Therapy. European urology oncology. 2025 Jun 19 DOI: 10.1016/j.euo.2025.05.027.
- Kim EE, Cenzer I, Graham FJ, Kang J, Lee SJ, Rustagi AS. Time to Benefit for Lung Cancer Screening: A Systematic Review and Survival Meta-Analysis. American journal of preventive medicine. 2025 May 28; 107736, DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2025.107736.
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Publication Briefs
(5 of more than 101 CANCER focused publication briefs)
- Compared with Observation, Prostate Cancer Surgery Often Not Worth Potential Harms in Patients with Low or Low–Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer
Two randomized trials (SPCG4 and the VA-CSP #407: PIVOT) have compared surgery to conservative management for localized prostate cancer, but the applicability of these trials to contemporary practice remains uncertain. This study analyzed the long-term results from SPCG4 and PIVOT (adjusting for considerations such as recent advances in therapies) and data from two contemporary non-VA cohorts—one ...
Date: June 12, 2024
- PACT Implementation Associated with Potential Short-Term Improvement in Quality of Follow-Up for Certain Diagnostic Tests
This study used 14 years (2006–2019) of nationwide VA data on Veterans who had abnormal test results related to diagnostic testing for six different cancers. Findings showed that PACT implementation was associated with a potential short-term improvement in the quality of follow-up for certain test results. Better PACT implementation was associated with a reduction in potentially missed timely foll...
Date: March 14, 2024
- Homelessness Associated with Increased Rates of All-Cause Mortality among Veterans with Lung and Colorectal Cancer
This study sought to characterize the diagnosis, treatment, surgical outcomes, and mortality of unhoused compared to housed patients who received care in VA for lung, colorectal cancer (CRC), and breast cancer. Findings showed that homelessness was associated with increased rates of mortality for lung and colorectal cancer, as well as later stage at diagnosis for colorectal cancer. Veterans experi...
Date: December 21, 2023
- Veterans Diagnosed with Pyogenic Liver Abscess Have Significantly Higher Rates of Colorectal Cancer for Up to Three Years after PLA Diagnosis
This study investigated the association between pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) and the subsequent incidence of diagnosed colorectal cancer (CRC) among 8,286 Veterans diagnosed with PLA and admitted to one of 127 VA hospitals nationwide from January 2003 through December 2020. Findings showed that CRC diagnosis was found in a significantly higher proportion of Veterans with PLA compared to controls (...
Date: December 18, 2023
- Personalized Multi-Level Intervention Helps Veterans Make Best Decisions about Colorectal Cancer Screening
This study evaluated the effect of a personalized multi-level intervention on screening orders in older adults due for average-risk colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Findings showed that, compared to Veterans who received a simple educational booklet (control arm), those who received personalized information (intervention arm) were more likely to get a “benefit-concordant” screening order—that is...
Date: December 1, 2023
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Studies
( 5 of more than 6 CANCER focused projects
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| Project No. |
Title |
PI |
Funding Start |
| CDA 23-137
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Improving Timely Access to Care for Veterans with Pulmonary Fibrosis Detected on Lung Cancer Screening |
Kaul, Bhavika |
2025-07-01 |
| IIR 23-005
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Preventing Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer in the VA Using a Multilevel Screening Intervention |
Liang, Peter |
2025-07-01 |
| IIR 22-193
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Lung Cancer Screening for Veterans Enrolled in Community Care: Modifiable Mechanisms to Improve Patient-Centered Outcomes |
Slatore, Christopher |
2024-07-01 |
| IIR 22-215
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Optimizing Advanced Prostate Cancer Care Among US Veterans |
Caram, Megan |
2023-07-01 |
| IIR 20-089
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Patient Risk Perception and Decision-Making about Adherence to Repeat Cancer Screening |
Gillespie, Christopher |
2021-10-01 |
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HSR Briefs, Reports, Newsletters
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Podcasts
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