The Division of Preventive Oncology members conduct investigator-initiated, peer-reviewed research in a wide range of topics in cancer epidemiology, prevention, screening and control as well as in biostatistical methods. The particular focus of the members includes research in physical activity, energy balance and cancer etiology and survival, in molecular and genetic epidemiology of cancer, in colorectal cancer screening and in methodologic development in statistics and epidemiology. The focus of the Division has evolved from its initial emphasis on the early detection, primary prevention and etiology of cancer to include research across the entire spectrum of cancer development and progression. The Division members have benefitted from the establishment of strong core units of support staff in population health and data support who have helped increase the productivity and impact of the research conducted by the members. The members also support educational and training programs in cancer epidemiology and biostatistics.

Strategic Plan
Vision: To be the premier Canadian research centre for population health research in cancer causes and control.
Mission: To conduct interdisciplinary, innovative, population health research that makes a significant impact on reducing cancer burden.

Our goals are to:

• Expand the interdisciplinary research activities and research capacity in molecular cancer epidemiology, biostatistics and areas of current strength in modifiable lifestyle risk factors for cancer and colon cancer screening;
• Increase the productivity, profile and impact of the research conducted within the Division by maintaining and expanding the infrastructure for preventive oncology research and by engaging in educational and other knowledge transfer activities;
• Enhance research across the entire spectrum of cancer epidemiology and prevention, screening and surveillance.

Education
Members of the Division of Preventive Oncology are involved in teaching at the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate level in a variety of departments and programs at the University of Calgary and supervise students at the graduate and postdoctoral level. Funding is available within the Division to support graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

Research
A wide range of research studies are currently on-going that are examining the role of modifiable lifestyle risk factors in cancer etiology, molecular and genetic mechanisms involved in cancer etiology, progression, recurrence and
survival, novel methods and approaches for colon cancer screening, statistical methods in genetic epidemiology, as well as the creation of new methods for measuring physical activity and energy expenditure. The Division members
have experienced considerable success in securing external research funding for their program at the provincial, federal and international level. Many of these studies are multidisciplinary and multi-centered and involve collaborators from centers across North America.

Other
Division members currently have external career funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research and the Alberta Cancer Foundation.