Caribbean Cancer Center study on how environment and hazards affect cancer care
Official title: The Caribbean Cancer Research Center on Environmental and Natural Hazards
Funded at Comprehensive Cancer Center/ Univ/pr · NIH-11405518 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant aims to understand how natural and environmental hazards in the US Caribbean affect cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for people living in PR and USVI.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Comprehensive Cancer Center/ Univ/pr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Juan, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,124,169 |
| NIH project number | 5P20CA294096-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11405518 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Residents of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands who are affected by cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, or treatment disruptions due to environmental hazards.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with no exposure to or impact from environmental hazards on cancer care may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Caribbean communities face disruptions from extreme weather and hazardous sites, which can break cancer screening and care pipelines. The project creates partnerships across universities, government agencies, and community groups to study how environmental hazards influence cancer risk, prevention, and treatment along the entire care pathway. By examining real-world impacts in PR and USVI, the effort aims to inform strategies that keep cancer programs resilient after disasters. The work will involve collaboration with local health systems and stakeholders to translate findings into ready-to-use protections and policies for communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to more resilient cancer prevention and treatment systems in Caribbean communities after environmental and weather-related events.
How similar studies have gone: Previous cancer-control research in disaster-prone regions has informed better planning, though CARIB-CARES tackles a specific US Caribbean focus with strong regional partnerships.
Where this research is happening
-
Comprehensive Cancer Center/ Univ/pr
San Juan, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ortiz, Ana Patricia — Comprehensive Cancer Center/ Univ/pr
- Study coordinator: Ortiz, Ana Patricia
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.