Epidemiologist, Department of Medicine
Brigham and Women's Hospital

edward.giovannucci@channing.harvard.edu

My research focuses on nutritional and lifestyle factors and how they relate to various malignancies, especially those of the prostate and colorectum. A specific area of interest has been on the etiologic mechanisms underlying the relation between these modifiable factors and cancer. My work has included the study of how nutrition and other lifestyle factors impact on cancer risk by influencing levels of insulin, insulin-like growth factors, vitamin D metabolites, and steroid hormones. Another area of interest regards how nutrients may interact with genetic susceptibilities in determining an individual's risk. This work includes genetic variation in the vitamin D receptor, folate metabolizing enzymes, and the androgen receptor. Work on prostate cancer has focused on the role of specific antioxidants, particularly lycopene and selenium, and on the potentially deleterious effects of diets high in calcium. Ultimately, within the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, we hope to provide the most comprehensive examination of the relations of dietary and other modifiable factors, hormonal systems, genetic susceptibility, and specific molecular endpoints in tumors. The major goal is to be able to provide a firm scientific rationale for preventive strategies against various cancers.

Giovannucci EL, Colditz GA, Stampfer MJ, Hunter D, Rosner BA, Willett WC, Speizer FE. A prospective study of cigarette smoking and risk of colorectal adenoma and colorectal cancer in US women. J Natl Cancer Inst 1994;86:192-199. [abstract]

Giovannucci E, Rimm EB, Ascheiro A, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Willett WC. Alcohol, low-methionine-low-folate diets, and the risk of colon cancer in men. J Natl Cancer Inst 1995;87:265-273. [abstract]

Giovannucci E, Ascheiro A, Rimm EB, Colditz GA, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC. Physical activity, obesity, and risk for colon cancer and adenoma in men. J Natl Cancer Inst 1995;122:327-334. [abstract]

Giovannucci E, Ascheiro A, Rimm EB, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Willett WC. Intake of carotenoids and retinol in relation to risk of prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 1995;87:1767-1776. [abstract]

Giovannucci E, Rimm EB, Wolk A, Ascheiro A, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Willett WC. Calcium and fructose intake in relation to risk of prostate cancer. Cancer Research 1998;58:442-447. [abstract]

Giovannucci E, Rimm EB, Ascherio A, Colditz GA, Spiegelman D, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC. Smoking and risk of total and fatal prostate cancer in United States health professionals. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 1999 Apr;8(4 Pt 1):277-82. [abstract]

Giovannucci E, Pollak MN, Platz EA, Willett WC, Stampfer MJ, Majeed N, Colditz GA, Speizer FE, Hankinson SE. A prospective study of plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 and binding protein-3 and risk of colorectal neoplasia in women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2000 Apr;9(4):345-9. [abstract]