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Cancer Research

Our studies pertaining to cancer, especially breast cancer. The goals of these studies include estimating the probability of breast cancer and improving early cancer detection. Click the links to learn more.

Ongoing Projects

  • Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands Mammography Registry

    The Hawaii & Pacific Islands Mammography Registry (HIPIMR) database aims to maintain a computerized database of women undergoing breast imaging in the state of Hawai’i.

    Visit the HIPIMR website

  • Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Hawaiʻi and the USAPI

    Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Hawaiʻi and the USAPI

    About The Study This study is funded by the U54 Grant #5U54CA143727: University of Guam/University of Hawaii Cancer Center Partnership under Dr. Neal Palafox. Since 2003, the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center (UH Cancer… Read More »Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Hawaiʻi and the USAPI

  • The Makawalu Study: Breast Cancer Screening in the Pacific using Portable Ultrasound

    The Makawalu Study: Breast Cancer Screening in the Pacific using Portable Ultrasound

    Overview Advanced stage breast cancer (stages III and IV) rates in the Pacific are much higher than in the USA mainland, especially where mammography services do not exist or have… Read More »The Makawalu Study: Breast Cancer Screening in the Pacific using Portable Ultrasound

  • Deep Learning and Total Body DXA Scans (The TBDXA.I. Project)

    Deep Learning and Total Body DXA Scans (The TBDXA.I. Project)

    Overview Deep Learning trains neural networks on large datasets, including images, to generate algorithms that predict endpoints. Total Body DXA scans contain digital information about body composition (fat, bone, lean… Read More »Deep Learning and Total Body DXA Scans (The TBDXA.I. Project)

  • Three Compartment Breast Lesion Detection Study

    Three Compartment Breast Lesion Detection Study

    The full impacts of digital mammography and computer-aided diagnostic (CAD/QIA) systems on the performance of diagnostic mammography are yet to be realized. Lesion composition as described by its 3 compositional… Read More »Three Compartment Breast Lesion Detection Study

COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS

  • Systematic Melanoma Assessment and Risk Triaging Study (SMART)

    Systematic Melanoma Assessment and Risk Triaging Study (SMART)

    Our goal is to establish a deep learning computer vision (DLCV) method to triage lesions appropriate for biopsy while providing a platform for increased vigilance of benign lesions. Background Regardless… Read More »Systematic Melanoma Assessment and Risk Triaging Study (SMART)

Completed Projects

  • Accessible Breast Cancer Screening in the Pacific

    Accessible Breast Cancer Screening in the Pacific

    In this pre-pilot study, we evaluate the effectiveness of the iBreastExam (iBE) as an early detection tool among women of Pacific Islander ancestry. We also test the acceptance of the technology with… Read More »Accessible Breast Cancer Screening in the Pacific

Related publications

Latest publications related to Cancer:

1.
Lesser C, Mericq V, Reyes M, GARMENDIA ML, Shepherd JA, Michels KB, et al. Habitual Phytoestrogen Intake is Associated with Breast Composition in Girls at 2 Years after Menarche Onset. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention [Internet]. 2022 Apr 27;cebp.0016.2022. Cite
1.
Valdez D. A pilot study to evaluate breast cancer screening in low resource areas of the Pacific using portable ultrasound and artificial intelligence. Poster presented at: 2022 Biomedical Sciences & Health Disparities Symposium; 2022 Apr 7; Honolulu, HI. Cite Download
1.
Torres SM. The Need for Breast Cancer Risk Modeling Data in Women Participating in Screening Mamography in Hawai’i. Poster presented at: 2022 Biomedical Sciences & Health Disparities Symposium; 2022 Apr 7; Honolulu, HI. Cite Download
1.
Valdez D, Cruz T, Rania S, Badowski G, Cassel K, Wolfgruber T, et al. Low clinical efficacy, but good acceptability of a point-of-care electronic palpation device for breast cancer screening for a lower middle-income environment. Med Phys [Internet]. 2022 Feb 1; Cite
1.
Shepherd J. Time-restricted eating, body composition, and cancer risk factors. Starlight Lecture Series presented at: Quest for a Cure: Progress in Cancer Research; 2021; University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center. Cite
1.
Lim U, Wilkens LR, Monroe KR, Cheng I, Kristal BS, Lampe JW, et al. Abstract IA38: Racial/ethnic differences in liver fat, an obesity-associated risk factor for liver cancer [Internet]. Oral Presentation presented at: AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Jun 1; New Orleans, LA. Cite
1.
Leong L, Giger M, Drukker K, Kerlikowske K, Joe B, Greenwood H, et al. Three compartment breast machine learning model for improving computer-aided detection. In Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Optics and Photonics; 2020. Cite
1.
Mullooly M, Fan S, Pfeiffer RM, Sprague B, Vacek PM, Weaver DL, et al. Abstract NG15: Investigation of relationships between breast cancer risk factors and bilateral mammographic breast density asymmetry among women undergoing diagnostic image-guided breast biopsies [Internet]. Oral Presentation presented at: Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2020 Apr 27; Philadelphia, PA. Cite
1.
Fukui J, Cheng S, Lim S, Shepherd J, Yamada P, Teranishi-Hashimoto C. The effect of longitudinal exercise programming in breast cancer patients [Internet]. ascopubs.org; 2020. Cite
1.
Fan S, Pfeiffer RM, Hada M, Falk RT, Mullooly M, Oh H, et al. Abstract 3488: Associations of circulating hormones with mammographic density in postmenopausal women referred to diagnostic breast biopsy. In Philadelphia, PA: American Association for Cancer Research; 2020. p. 3488. Cite

View more publications on our Publication page.