Speaker: Eric (Rocky) Feuer, Ph.D. Video courtesy National Cancer Institute
Sophisticated modeling techniques can be powerful tools for decision makers seeking to understand the effects of cancer control interventions on population trends in cancer incidence and mortality. Yet the proven value of such models in health policy is limited by legitimate concerns over lack of transparency of complex models and variability in published results from different groups. NCI's Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) was created to promote collaboration between independent modeling groups investigating similar questions. By using the same sources of data for inputs and agreeing on uniform outcome measures, the variability in results reflects uncertainty in the effects of cancer control interventions rather than differences in design of the analysis. Further, by working together, the modeling groups can coherently explain the causes of variation.
CISNET supports working groups investigating 5 cancers: breast, colorectal, prostate, lung, and esophagus. The ITA is home to the coordinating centers for both the lung and esophagus groups, with Principal Investigators Pamela McMahon and Chin Hur, respectively. Amy Knudsen, is a Co-Investigator with the CISNET colorectal research group.
If you would like more information in general or regarding possible collaborations with the CISNET lung or esophagus initiatives, please contact the ITA at or (617) 724-4445.
The CISNET esophagus group is the newest of the five groups and consists of modeling teams from MGH, University of Washington, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The research will address the overarching goals of increasing our understanding of the natural history of esophageal cancer and determining the impact and of potential cancer control interventions with the ultimate goal of ameliorating cancer morbidity.
The CISNET lung group consists of modeling teams from the Erasmus Medical Center, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, MGH, Georgetown, Michigan, Stanford, and Yale. The groups' interests include tobacco control policies, screening, and genetic susceptibility. The models incorporate the association between smoking and lung cancer in various ways, including several versions of the two-stage clonal expansion model of carcinogenesis.
