The Trabert Team is engaged in research related to the prevention of gynecologic cancers. We integrate pharmacoepidemiology, as well as reproductive and molecular epidemiology to understand the risk factors and progression of ovarian and uterine cancers.
A major area of focus for the Trabert Team is understanding the role of commonly used medications and their potential to prevent ovarian cancer. Our previous research shows that frequent aspirin use is associated with a reduction in ovarian cancer risk, regardless of other risk factors. Dr. Trabert was recently awarded a Department of Defense grant to expand this research to include other common medications and their influence on ovarian cancer.
An additional area of focus for the Trabert Team is evaluating ways to prevent uterine cancer and to identify ways to detect it earlier. A high body mass index is associated with an increased risk for endometrial cancer, as well as an endometrial cancer precursor, endometrial interepithelial neoplasia (EIN). We are in the process of developing infrastructure at the University of Utah and Huntsman Cancer Institute to better understand molecular predictors of both endometrial cancer and EIN.
The Trabert Team is developing a strong collaborative partnership with colleagues in Mexico with the goal of expanding ovarian and uterine cancer research in the Mexican Teachers’ Cohort. This work also includes understanding patterns and trends of cancer risk factors among individuals with Mexican ancestry across the U.S. and Mexico by integrating large population-based databases.
Funding
We greatly appreciate support from the Ovarian Cancer Research Program of the Department of Defense, Huntsman Cancer Institute (Cancer Center Support Grant, Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Breast and Gynecologic Cancers Center of Excellence), and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Utah
