Pamela L. Horn-Ross, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist Cancer Prevention Institute of California
Consulting Professor, Division of Epidemiology, Dept. of Health Research & Policy, Stanford University School of Medicine Member, Stanford Cancer Institute
2201 Walnut Avenue, Suite 300
Fremont, California 94538-2334 E-mail:pamela.horn-ross@CPIC.org Phone: 510-608-5014 Fax: 510-608-5085
Research Interests:
The potentially anti-carcinogenic effects of phytonutrients (e.g., isoflavones in soy-based foods and isothiocyanates in cruciferous vegetables)
The causes and prevention of breast, endometrial and thyroid cancer in women
Dr. Horn-Ross' research focuses on nutrition and the etiology of hormonally-dependent cancers in women including cancers of the breast, endometrium and thyroid. Of particular interest are the effects of phytonutrients that may reduce cancer risk, such as the isoflavones in soy foods, the lignans in whole grains, the isothiocyanates in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, and resveratrol in red wine and peanuts. For breast cancer, a critical period of exposure may be during puberty. Dr. Horn-Ross conducted a study in girls that collected data on a variety of early exposures and lifestyle factors from girls and their parents. She is currently analyzing this data to determine the effects of isoflavones and other exposures on pubertal development.
Dr. Horn-Ross is also one of the founding members of the California Teachers Study, which includes 133,479 women who are participating in a lifetime study of women's health. As one of the cohort's primary investigators, she is responsible for the nutritional aspects of the study. Her work in this cohort includes the assessment of dietary and phytonutrient intake and breast, endometrial, and thyroid cancer risk; evaluating the effects of alcohol on breast cancer risk; and an assessment of obesity and cancers of the breast and endometrium.
Dr. Horn-Ross also has a strong interest in thyroid cancer. Her previous work in this area has helped to: dispel the idea that excess iodine increases the risk of thyroid cancer in iodine-sufficient populations; confirm the hormonal aspects of thyroid cancer etiology; and identify goiter and diet as major factors explaining ethnic variation in this disease.
Another area in which Dr. Horn-Ross is currently doing research is the modification of the nutritional effects on cancer risk by polymorphic variation in genes which influence the metabolism of phytonutrients and the synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, e.g., estrogens and androgens.
Professional Memberships, Professional Activities, and Awards: 1984 - present Member, Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER) 1989 - present Member, American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO) 1991 - present Member (1991-2000); Member, Admissions Committee (1998-2003); Fellow (2000-present), American College of Epidemiology (ACE) 1994 - 2001 Ad hoc member of several study sections for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Center Program, and the US Army Medical Research and Material Command (USAMRMC) Breast Cancer Research Program 1997 Best Poster Award, American Society of Preventive Oncology 1998 - 1999 Member, NIH EDC-2 study section 2004 - present Member, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2005 Chair, Endometrial Cancer Working Group, 2nd NCI Epidemiology Leadership Workshop: Understudied Rare Cancers 2005 - present Member, Executive Committee (2007-present); Planning Committee (2005-2007); Genetics Working Group (2006-present), Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium (E2C2)
