The Kumar lab’s focus on gastrointestinal (GI) cancer epidemiology and risk factor mitigation includes two primary areas: gastric and colon cancer.

Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection is considered the predominant risk factor for the development of gastric adenocarcinoma, the main type of gastric cancer. In the US, gastric cancer is a relative infrequent cancer, but disproportionately impacts immigrants and minority populations, including those in the Sylvester catchment area. We have two ongoing studies in this realm. First, we are conducting community-based testing and treatment of H pylori infection in our local communities. This serves to provide a framework for primary prevention of gastric cancer. Second, we evaluate strains of H pylori infection in persons undergoing endoscopy, evaluating the association between tumorigenic factors and patient characteristics. This will allow us to identify what characteristics of a person make them most high risk to develop gastric cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths. While obesity is convincingly associated with an increased risk of future colorectal cancer, whether and how weight and body composition trajectories impact future colorectal cancer risk and mortality is unknown. We leverage large datasets and available imaging to fill crucial knowledge gaps regarding the associations of weight trajectory and cancer risk and mortality, as well as comparisons between weight and body composition. These data will help us provide accurate risk estimates to patients and inform clinical practice of the administration of weight loss interventions.