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Isaac Ergas, PhD, MPH, MFA

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Kaiser Permanente Division of Research
2000 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612


isaac.j.ergas@kp.org


​Isaac Ergas, PhD, MPH, MFA, is a Staff Scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research. His research explores dietary, lifestyle, and behavioral risk factors for breast and bladder cancer, investigating how nutrients, food, and overall dietary pattern levels influence the mechanisms that impact cancer progression and survival.

Dr. Ergas earned his PhD in Epidemiology from the University of California, Berkeley. His dissertation examined the role of diet in breast cancer survivorship in participants of the Pathways Study, a longitudinal prospective cohort of women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between 2005 and 2013. He also holds a Masters of Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley. He previously earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Film and Television Production at the University of Southern California, where he received a Sloan Foundation grant to make a short film about Dr. John Snow and his renowned epidemiological investigation of the Broad Street Pump.


Current Position(s):

  • Staff Scientist

    Primary Research Interests:

    • Cancer epidemiology
    • Nutritional epidemiology
    • Cancer survival
    • Diet and heart disease

      No results found matching criteria

      Diet Quality and Breast Cancer Recurrence and Survival: The Pathways Study

      Author(s): Ergas, Isaac J; Cespedes Feliciano, Elizabeth M; Bradshaw, Patrick T; Roh, Janise M; Kwan, Marilyn L; Cadenhead, Jen; Santiago-Torres, Margarita; Troeschel, Alyssa N; Laraia, Barbara; Madsen, Kristine; Kushi, Lawrence H

      JNCI Cancer Spectr. 2021 04;5(2). Epub 2021-03-02.

      PubMed abstract

      Associations of post-diagnosis lifestyle with prognosis in women with invasive breast cancer

      Author(s): Troeschel, Alyssa N; Ergas, Isaac J; Kwan, Marilyn L; Cespedes Feliciano, Elizabeth M; Kushi, Lawrence H; et al.

      Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2023 Apr 20.

      PubMed abstract

      Associations of dietary isothiocyanate exposure from cruciferous vegetable consumption with recurrence and progression of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: findings from the Be-Well Study

      Author(s): Wang, Zinian; Kwan, Marilyn L; Ergas, Isaac J; Quesenberry, Charles P; Kushi, Lawrence H; Tang, Li; et al.

      Am J Clin Nutr. 2023 Apr 11.

      PubMed abstract

      Participant blinding and gastrointestinal illness in a randomized, controlled trial of an in-home drinking water intervention.

      Author(s): Colford, John M Jr; Rees, Judy R; Wade, Timothy J; Khalakdina, Asheena; Hilton, Joan F; Ergas, Isaac J; Burns, Susan; Benker, Anne; Ma, Catherine; Bowen, Cliff; Mills, Daniel C; Vugia, Duc J; Juranek, Dennis D; Levy, Deborah A

      Emerg Infect Dis. 2002 Jan;8(1):29-36.

      PubMed abstract

      Detected Prenatal Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Exposure is Associated with Decreased Fetal Head Biometric Parameters in Participants Experiencing Higher Perceived Stress During Pregnancy in the MADRES Cohort

      Author(s): Alicia K. Peterson; Sandrah P. Eckel; Rima Habre; Tingyu Yang; Dema Faham; Monica Amin; Brendan H. Grubbs; Shohreh F. Farzan; Kurunthachalam Kannan; Morgan Robinson; Deborah Lerner; Laila A. Al-Marayati; Daphne K. Walker; Edward G. Grant; Carrie V. Breton; Theresa M. Bastain

      Environ Adv. 2022 Oct;9:100032. doi: 10.1016/j.envadv.2022.100286. Epub 2022 Sep 8.

      PubMed abstract

      Prenatal Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Exposure is Associated with Lower Infant Birthweight Within the MADRES Pregnancy Cohort.

      Author(s): Peterson Alicia K; Eckel Sandrah P; Habre Rima; Yang Tingyu; Faham Dema; Farzan Shohreh F; Grubbs Brendan H; Kannan Kurunthachalam; Robinson Morgan; Lerner Deborah; Al-Marayati Laila A; Walker Daphne K; Grant Edward G; Bastain Theresa M; Breton Carrie V

      Front. Epidemiol. 2022 Jul 13;2:934715. doi: 10.3389/fepid.2022.934715. Epub 2022 Jul 13.

      PubMed abstract

      Smoking Behaviors and Prognosis in Patients With Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer in the Be-Well Study

      Author(s): Kwan, Marilyn L; Young-Wolff, Kelly C; Ergas, Isaac J; Quesenberry, Charles P; Kushi, Lawrence H; Tang, Li; et al.

      JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Nov 01;5(11):e2244430. Epub 2022-11-01.

      PubMed abstract

      UACA locus is associated with breast cancer chemoresistance and survival.

      Author(s): Zhu, Qianqian; Schultz, Emily; Long, Jirong; Roh, Janise M; Valice, Emily; Laurent, Cecile A; Radimer, Kelly H; Yan, Li; Ergas, Isaac J; Davis, Warren; Ranatunga, Dilrini; Gandhi, Shipra; Kwan, Marilyn L; Bao, Ping-Ping; Zheng, Wei; Shu, Xiao-Ou; Ambrosone, Christine; Yao, Song; Kushi, Lawrence H

      NPJ Breast Cancer. 2022 Mar 23;8(1):39. doi: 10.1038/s41523-022-00401-5.

      PubMed abstract

      Plant-Based Dietary Patterns and Breast Cancer Recurrence and Survival in the Pathways Study

      Author(s): Anyene, Ijeamaka C; Ergas, Isaac J; Kwan, Marilyn L; Roh, Janise M; Ambrosone, Christine B; Kushi, Lawrence H; Cespedes Feliciano, Elizabeth M

      Nutrients. 2021 Sep 25;13(10). Epub 2021-09-25.

      PubMed abstract

      Diet Quality and Breast Cancer Recurrence and Survival: The Pathways Study

      Author(s): Ergas, Isaac J; Cespedes Feliciano, Elizabeth M; Bradshaw, Patrick T; Roh, Janise M; Kwan, Marilyn L; Cadenhead, Jen; Santiago-Torres, Margarita; Troeschel, Alyssa N; Laraia, Barbara; Madsen, Kristine; Kushi, Lawrence H

      JNCI Cancer Spectr. 2021 04;5(2). Epub 2021-03-02.

      PubMed abstract

      Distinct trajectories of moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior following a breast cancer diagnosis: the Pathways Study

      Author(s): Shi Z; Rundle A; Genkinger JM; Cheung YK; Ergas IJ; Roh JM; Kushi LH; Kwan ML; Greenlee H

      J Cancer Surviv. 2020 06;14(3):393-403. Epub 2020-03-04.

      PubMed abstract

      Distinct trajectories of fruits and vegetables, dietary fat, and alcohol intake following a breast cancer diagnosis: the Pathways Study

      Author(s): Shi Z; Rundle A; Genkinger JM; Cheung YK; Ergas IJ; Roh JM; Kushi LH; Kwan ML; Greenlee H

      Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2020 Jan;179(1):229-240. Epub 2019-10-10.

      PubMed abstract

      Germline Genetic Variants in GATA3 and Breast Cancer Treatment Outcomes in SWOG S8897 Trial and the Pathways Study

      Author(s): Larsen V; Kwan ML; Ergas IJ; Yao S; et al.

      Clin Breast Cancer. 2019 08;19(4):225-235.e2. Epub 2019-03-06.

      PubMed abstract

      Opportunities to Improve Detection and Treatment of Depression among Patients with Breast Cancer Treated in an Integrated Delivery System

      Author(s): Check DK; Kwan ML; Chawla N; Dusetzina SB; Valice E; Ergas IJ; Roh JM; Kolevska T; Rosenstein DL; Kushi LH

      J Pain Symptom Manage. 2019 03;57(3):587-595. Epub 2018-12-01.

      PubMed abstract

      The Be-Well Study: a prospective cohort study of lifestyle and genetic factors to reduce the risk of recurrence and progression of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

      Author(s): Kwan ML; Kushi LH; Ergas IJ; Quesenberry CP; Tang L; et al.

      Cancer Causes Control. 2019 Feb;30(2):187-193. Epub 2019-01-17.

      PubMed abstract

      Perioperative Intravesical Chemotherapy for Patients with Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: Understanding the Extent of and Sources of Variation in Guideline-Recommended Use

      Author(s): Check DK; Aaronson DS; Nielsen ME; Lee VS; Ergas IJ; Roh JM; Kushi LH; Tang L; Kwan ML

      Urology. 2019 02;124:107-112. Epub 2018-10-23.

      PubMed abstract

      Personal and clinical social support and adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy among hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients in an integrated health care system

      Author(s): Kroenke CH; Hershman DL; Gomez SL; Adams SR; Eldridge EH; Kwan ML; Ergas IJ; Kubo A; Kushi LH

      Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2018 Aug;170(3):623-631. Epub 2018-04-18.

      PubMed abstract

      Understanding racial/ethnic differences in breast cancer-related physical well-being: the role of patient-provider interactions

      Author(s): Check DK; Chawla N; Kwan ML; Pinheiro L; Roh JM; Ergas IJ; Stewart AL; Kolevska T; Ambrosone C; Kushi LH

      Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2018 Aug;170(3):593-603. Epub 2018-04-05.

      PubMed abstract

      Genetic Ancestry Is not Associated with Breast Cancer Recurrence or Survival in U.S. Latina Women Enrolled in the Kaiser Permanente Pathways Study

      Author(s): Engmann NJ; Ergas IJ; Yao S; Kwan ML; Roh JM; Ambrosone CB; Kushi LH; Fejerman L

      Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2017 Sep;26(9):1466-1469.

      PubMed abstract

      Association of Serum Level of Vitamin D at Diagnosis With Breast Cancer Survival: A Case-Cohort Analysis in the Pathways Study

      Author(s): Yao S; Ergas IJ; Roh JM; Lee MM; Kushi LH; et al.

      JAMA Oncol. 2017 Mar 01;3(3):351-357.

      PubMed abstract

      BMI, Lifestyle Factors and Taxane-Induced Neuropathy in Breast Cancer Patients: The Pathways Study.

      Author(s): Greenlee, Heather; Hershman, Dawn L; Shi, Zaixing; Kwan, Marilyn L; Ergas, Isaac J; Roh, Janise M; Kushi, Lawrence H

      J Natl Cancer Inst. 2016 Oct 28;109(2):djw206. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djw206. Print 2017 Feb.

      PubMed abstract

      Association Between Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use and Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Initiation: The Breast Cancer Quality of Care (BQUAL) Study

      Author(s): Greenlee H; Kwan ML; Lee M; Hershman DL; Hershman DL; et al.

      JAMA Oncol. 2016 Sep 01;2(9):1170-6.

      PubMed abstract

      Race/ethnicity, genetic ancestry, and breast cancer-related lymphedema in the Pathways Study

      Author(s): Kwan ML; Ergas IJ; Quesenberry CP; Kushi LH; et al.

      Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2016 08;159(1):119-29. Epub 2016-07-22.

      PubMed abstract

      The Impact of DNA Input Amount and DNA source on the Performance of Whole-Exome Sequencing in Cancer Epidemiology

      Author(s): Zhu Q; Kwan ML; Ergas IJ; Kushi LH; Yao S; et al.

      Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2015 Aug;24(8):1207-13. Epub 2015-05-19.

      PubMed abstract

      Changes in vitamin and mineral supplement use after breast cancer diagnosis in the Pathways Study: a prospective cohort study

      Author(s): Greenlee H; Kwan ML; Ergas IJ; Kushi LH; et al.

      BMC Cancer. 2014;14:382. Epub 2014-05-29.

      PubMed abstract

      Employment status and quality of life in recently diagnosed breast cancer survivors

      Author(s): Timperi AW; Ergas IJ; Rehkopf DH; Roh JM; Kwan ML; Kushi LH

      Psychooncology. 2013 Jun;22(6):1411-20. Epub 2012-08-22.

      PubMed abstract

      Patient-physician interaction and quality of life in recently diagnosed breast cancer patients

      Author(s): Kwan ML; Tam EK; Ergas IJ; Rehkopf DH; Roh JM; Lee MM; Somkin CP; Stewart AL; Kushi LH

      Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2013 Jun;139(2):581-95.

      PubMed abstract

      Social networks, social support mechanisms, and quality of life after breast cancer diagnosis

      Author(s): Kroenke CH; Kwan ML; Neugut AI; Ergas IJ; Wright JD; Caan BJ; Hershman D; Kushi LH

      Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2013 Jun;139(2):515-27.

      PubMed abstract

      Change in physical activity during active treatment in a prospective study of breast cancer survivors

      Author(s): Kwan ML; Sternfeld B; Ergas IJ; Timperi AW; Roh JM; Hong CC; Quesenberry CP; Kushi LH

      Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2012 Jan;131(2):679-90. Epub 2011 Sep 28.

      PubMed abstract

      Associations of physical activity with quality of life and functional ability in breast cancer patients during active adjuvant treatment: the Pathways Study

      Author(s): Mandelblatt JS; Luta G; Kwan ML; Makgoeng SB; Ergas IJ; Roh JM; Sternfeld B; Adams-Campbell LL; Kushi LH

      Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2011 Sep;129(2):521-9. Epub 2011 Apr 8.

      PubMed abstract

      Quality of life among women recently diagnosed with invasive breast cancer: the Pathways Study

      Author(s): Kwan ML; Ergas IJ; Somkin CP; Quesenberry CP Jr; Neugut AI; Hershman DL; Mandelblatt J; Pelayo MP; Timperi AW; Miles SQ; Kushi LH

      Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2010 Sep;123(2):507-24. Epub 2010 Feb 6.

      PubMed abstract

      Complementary and alternative therapy use before and after breast cancer diagnosis: the Pathways Study

      Author(s): Greenlee H; Kwan ML; Ergas IJ; Sherman KJ; Krathwohl SE; Bonnell C; Lee MM; Kushi LH

      Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2009 Oct;117(3):653-65. Epub 2009 Jan 31.

      PubMed abstract

      Epidemiology of breast cancer subtypes in two prospective cohort studies of breast cancer survivors

      Author(s): Kwan ML; Kushi LH; Weltzien E; Maring B; Kutner SE; Fulton RS; Lee MM; Ambrosone CB; Caan BJ

      Breast Cancer Res. 2009;11(3):R31. Epub 2009 May 22.

      PubMed abstract

      The Pathways Study: a prospective study of breast cancer survivorship within Kaiser Permanente Northern California

      Author(s): Kwan ML; Ergas IJ; Caan BJ; Quesenberry CP; Kushi LH; et al.

      Cancer Causes Control. 2008 Dec;19(10):1065-76. Epub 2008 May 14.

      PubMed abstract

      Pregnancy plasma glucose levels exceeding the American Diabetes Association thresholds, but below the National Diabetes Data Group thresholds for gestational diabetes mellitus, are related to the risk of neonatal macrosomia, hypoglycaemia and hyperbilirubinaemia

      Author(s): Ferrara A; Weiss NS; Hedderson MM; Quesenberry CP Jr; Selby JV; Ergas IJ; Peng T; Escobar GJ; Pettitt DJ; Sacks DA

      Diabetologia. 2007 Feb;50(2):298-306. Epub 2006 Nov 14.

      PubMed abstract