Cancer Prevention and Control Research at Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center

The principal goal of our Cancer Prevention and Control research is to guide community-focused cancer prevention and control strategies in the Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center’s catchment area. These initiatives leverage strong partnerships with community-based healthcare providers and organizations to understand local cancer risk factors and the socio-environmental drivers of adverse cancer outcomes. Our studies are guided by a cancer exposome framework that integrates lifetime environmental, occupational, behavioral and biological exposures to better understand cancer risk and outcomes across our diverse population in the Texas Gulf Coast.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Cancer Research

With a goal of building a comprehensive approach to cancer research across basic, clinical and population-based science, physician-scientists at the Neal Cancer Center have developed three research focus areas led by renowned experts: Cancer Developmental Therapeutics, Cancer Biology and Immunology, and Cancer Prevention and Control. 

The specific aims of the Cancer Prevention and Control studies focus on cancer interception through precision prevention and early detection; innovations in integrated, multi-omics analysis of metabolic dysfunction-associated cancers; and personalized treatment, survivorship and implementation. Our researchers develop and evaluate:

 

• Molecularly targeted interventions for cancer prevention and control efforts, with strategic focus on high-risk populations
• Innovative strategies for early cancer detection through novel biomarkers, and implement cancer control measures, focusing on high-risk subgroups
• Cancer-care delivery and survivorship strategies to optimize treatments and outcomes from diagnosis to end of life