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Isaac Ergas , PhD, MPH, MFA

isaac.j.ergas@kp.org

Ergas, Isaac

 

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

Section Affiliations:

    Primary Research Interests:

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

    Publications

    Alcohol consumption and prognosis and survival in breast cancer survivors: The Pathways Study

    Authors: Kwan, Marilyn L;Valice, Emily;Ergas, Isaac J;Roh, Janise M;Caan, Bette J;Cespedes Feliciano, Elizabeth M;Kolevska, Tatjana;Hartman, Terryl J;Quesenberry, Charles P;Ambrosone, Christine B;Kushi, Lawrence H

    Cancer. 2023 Aug 09.

    PubMed abstract

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

    Authors: Troeschel, Alyssa N;McCullough, Lauren E;Collin, Lindsay J;Bradshaw, Patrick T;Valice, Emily;Kushi, Lawrence H;et al.

    Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2023 Jul 05;32(7):963-975.

    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

    Authors: Wang, Zinian;Roh, Janise M;Aaronson, David S;Ambrosone, Christine B;Tang, Li;et al.

    Am J Clin Nutr. 2023 Jun;117(6):1110-1120. Epub 2023-04-11.

    PubMed abstract

    A Mendelian Randomization Analysis of 55 Genetically Predicted Metabolic Traits with Breast Cancer Survival Outcomes in the Pathways Study

    Authors: Fiorica, Peter N;Sheng, Haiyang;Zhu, Qianqian;Roh, Janise M;Laurent, Cecile A;Ergas, Isaac J;Delmerico, Jennifer;Kwan, Marilyn L;Kushi, Lawrence H;Ambrosone, Christine B;Yao, Song

    Cancer Res Commun. 2023 Jun;3(6):1104-1112. Epub 2023-06-22.

    PubMed abstract

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

    Authors: 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

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

    Authors: 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.

    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

    Authors: 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.

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

    Authors: 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.

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

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

    Authors: 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

    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

    Authors: 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

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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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.

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

    Authors: 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

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