Epidemiology Research Core

Overview of Services

The Epidemiology Research Core (ERC) mission is to support population-based research by accessing Metropolitan Detroit Cancer Surveillance System (MDCSS) cancer cases and their data for use in approved research. The ERC provides epidemiology expertise and collaborates with researchers conducting investigations in cancer prevention, etiology, treatment and outcomes. The ERC also works with system-wide tumor registry data to support system-based research and to support Community Outreach and Engagement initiatives. This type of population-and hospital-based cancer research is made possible by ERC accessing this data on behalf of researchers, which ensures confidentiality.

 

Leadership

 

Jennifer Beebe-Dimmer, PhD  Director (313) 578-4209 dimmerj@karmanos.org
Julie Ruterbusch Co-Director (313) 578-4242 ruterbus@med.wayne.edu
Tara Baird Core Manager (313) 578-4246 bairdt@wayne.edu

 

Location

 

Wayne State University
Karmanos Cancer Institute,

4th floor Mid-Med Office Building,
87 E. Canfield, Detroit MI, 48201.

 

Links and Resources

Getting Started in iLab

A detailed description of the services provided through the ERC can be found at:

https://www.karmanos.org/karmanos/epidemiology-research-core

Please note the links within this page in the upper right-hand corner to: “Services & Fees” and “Resources, Facilities & Instrumentation”.

 

 

Acknowledgment of ERC/SEER in Publications

When publishing data that originated from local SEER-run studies or data for which you received Epidemiology Research Core (ERC) support, please acknowledge our funding sources, as follows:

 

This work was supported by the Epidemiology Research Core and the National Cancer Institute Center Grant (P30CA022453) awarded to the Karmanos Cancer Institute at Wayne State University.

 


List of Services


Search available services:
Name Description Price
Biospecimen Collection

Collection of biologic specimens, including blood, buccal cells, saliva and urine, from study participants and/or diagnosing hospitals including KCI and non-KCI facilities. 

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Collection and Abstraction of Medical Records

Collection of medical records and abstracting of study-specific data, which are not available in the MDCSS registry.

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Consultation

Consultation and collaborative research expertise focused on study design, proposal development, IRB applications, and interpretation of population-based local and national SEER data. Consultation charges can be waived if other ERC services are budgeted

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Control Identification

Identification of population-based control groups for case-control study designs via random digit dialing, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) records, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) records, and other mechanisms.

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Database Linkage

Linkage of outside data sources to MCDSS data for the collection of patient demographics, treatment and survival data

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Database Query

Response to requests for population-based data requiring query of the MDCSS and/or the national SEER Limited-Use data files for descriptive analyses.

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Rapid Case Ascertainment

Rapid identification and ascertainment of eligible study participants, requiring review of all pathology reports indicating a cancer diagnosis at approximately 60 metropolitan area hospitals, clinics, pathology laboratories and radiation therapy facilities and rapid collection of patient demographic information. This speeds up case identification for population-based studies, with most cases identified within two to three months of diagnosis.

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Research Support and Training

Regulatory oversight and research training support of study staff involved in studies in which participants are being contacted.

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Tissue Retrieval

Collection of biologic tissue specimens, including tumor blocks and H&E stained slides and unstained slides from diagnosing hospitals including KCI and non-KCI facilities. Tumor Collection from KCI facilities is coordinated with the KCI Biorepository Core.

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