Understanding how different radiation treatments affect cancer patients
Official title: Assessing Variation in Outcomes for Cancer Patients Receiving Radiation Treatments and Identifying High-Value Radiation Oncology Practices
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11079471 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how much money is spent on radiation therapy for cancer patients in the U.S. and how that affects the quality of care, especially for those on Medicare and Medicaid, with the goal of finding better ways to treat everyone and improve cancer care for all.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $270,670 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA273549-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11079471 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy, particularly those who are dual-eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not receiving radiation therapy or those outside the Medicare and Medicaid systems may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the differences in spending, use, and quality of radiation therapy for cancer patients across the United States. It aims to identify high-value practices that provide better care while analyzing disparities, especially for patients who are both Medicare and Medicaid recipients. By examining these variations, the project seeks to improve the delivery of radiation oncology services and ensure that all patients receive optimal care. The findings could help inform healthcare policies and practices to enhance cancer treatment outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved quality and cost-effectiveness of radiation therapy for cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that analyzing variations in healthcare practices can lead to significant improvements in patient outcomes and cost efficiency.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lam, Miranda — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Lam, Miranda
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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.