Investigating how neighborhood factors affect cancer rates
Official title: Assessing residential neighborhood exposome exposures and the associations with cancer incidence
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-10884922 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how things like income, pollution, and neighborhood design affect the chances of getting colorectal, lung, and breast cancers, with the hope of finding ways to lower cancer risks and improve health for everyone, especially in communities that face more challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $324,914 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA277780-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10884922 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in neighborhoods with varying levels of socioeconomic deprivation and environmental exposures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living in areas with minimal environmental exposure or those not affected by socioeconomic disparities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines the impact of various neighborhood factors, such as socioeconomic status, environmental pollutants, and the built environment, on the incidence of colorectal, lung, and breast cancers. By analyzing these factors over time rather than at a single point, the study aims to uncover the cumulative effects of neighborhood exposures on cancer risk. The goal is to identify modifiable risk factors that could help reduce geographic and racial disparities in cancer incidence, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for affected populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted interventions that reduce cancer disparities in disadvantaged communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that neighborhood factors significantly influence cancer incidence, but this study aims to provide a more comprehensive and temporal analysis, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perera, Robert Anthony — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Perera, Robert Anthony
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.