The REACH Shared Resource builds on the scientific accomplishments of its predecessors (The Survey of the Health of Wisconsin [SHOW] and Cancer Prevention and Outcome Data [C-POD]). SHOW and C-POD have informed evidence-based public health guidelines, translated novel findings from animal models to the human population, characterized risk factors for cancer and identified barriers to cancer prevention. These accomplishments have leveraged this population health research platform of existing data, biospecimen, and service infrastructure to advance cancer research. Read more about selected scientific accomplishments below.
Informing Wisconsin’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan
Noelle Loconte, MD – Cancer Prevention and Control Program
Dr. LoConte and collaborators conducted a mail-based survey to past cancer survivors in the SHOW cohort (N=306). Findings from this study informed evidence-based public health practices in the Wisconsin’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan for 2020-2030 on survivor health priorities. The study has also contributed to publications on the financial toxicity of cancer and on alcohol use during chemotherapy.
- Wisconsin Cancer Plan 2020-2030. Chapter 5: Survivorship.
- Cull Weatherer A, Johnson A, LoConte N, Kilman C, Kerch S, Weil C. The Financial Toxicity of Cancer. Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative Issue Brief. 2021;16(2).
- Zhao L, Cull Weatherer A, Kerch S, LeCaire T, Remington PL, LoConte NK. Alcohol Use During Chemotherapy: A Pilot Study. WI Med J. 2022.
Translating findings on obesity prevention and treatment from an animal model to the human population: Linking amino acid analysis to SHOW participant data.
Dudley Lamming, PhD – Developmental Therapeutics Program
Dr. Lamming and collaborators found that reducing dietary isoleucine restores metabolic health to diet-induced obese mice. They then replicated the findings in the general human population using plasma samples and associated data from SHOW. Dr. Lamming examined levels of branched chain amino acids in 788 human plasma samples from the SHOW biorepository. He linked the amino acid analysis to existing nutrition, BMI and biosample data on the SHOW participants. This translational research study found a similar relationship between isoleucine intake and metabolic health in both the mouse model and in the SHOW cohort.
- Yu D, Richardson N…Lamming D. The adverse metabolic effects of branched-chain amino acids are mediated by isoleucine and valine. Cell Metabolism. 2021, 33(5):905-922. DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.03.025
Characterizing Radon Testing and Mitigation efforts by Wisconsin Residents
Noelle LoConte, MD – Cancer Prevention and Control Program
Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and is especially prevalent in the upper Midwest. Dr. LoConte and collaborators analyzed data from SHOW as well as other sources to characterize radon testing and mitigation behaviors among Wisconsinites. In the SHOW cohort, only 22.1% of homeowners tested for radon. Those who were older, had higher levels of education and lived in homes built before 1900 were more likely to test for radon. Across all data sources, they found largely inadequate testing and mitigation practices. Future interventions should promote testing and mitigation to reduce radon-induced lung cancer deaths in Wisconsin.
- Denu RA, Maloney J, Tomasallo CD, Jacobs NM, Krebsbach JK, Schmaling AL, Perez E, Bersch AJ, LeCaire TJ, Meiman JG, Malecki KM, LoConte NK, MD. Survey of Radon Testing and Mitigation by Wisconsin Residents, Landlords, and School Districts. WMJ. 2019;118(4):169-176.
Identifying barriers to physical activity among rural women in Wisconsin
Lisa Cadmus-Bertram, PhD, MPhil, MS – Cancer Prevention and Control Program
Dr. Cadmus-Bertram surveyed rural women from the SHOW cohort recruitment registry (N=507). She found significant differences in barriers to physical activity (PA) between active and inactive women. Identifying differential barriers to physical activity is a foundational step towards cancer prevention for women in rural Wisconsin.
- Cadmus-Bertram LA, Gorzelitz JS, Dorn DC, Malecki KMC. Understanding the physical activity needs and interests of inactive and active rural women: a cross-sectional study of barriers, opportunities, and intervention preferences. J Behav Med. 2020;43(4):638-47.