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Brenda Cartmel, PhD

Senior Research Scientist in and Lecturer in Epidemiology (Chronic Diseases)

Research Summary

Dr. Cartmel's primary research interests are in the area of cancer prevention and cancer survivorship. Dr. Cartmel is Co-Leader for the 'Personalized Intervention Program: Tobacco Treatment for Lung Cancer Screening Patients (PIP), one of four projects which are part of the Yale Lung SPORE (PI: Dr. Roy Herbst). In addition to this study, Dr. Cartmel is involved in several diet and exercise intervention studies in cancer survivors (Melinda Irwin Ph.D. and Tara Sanft, M.D. PIs). She is also participating in a nationwide longitudinal quality of life study in cancer survivors in which she is studying communication of health information to long-term cancer survivors. Other interests include the use of a novel noninvasive assessment method of skin carotenoids and skin cancer etiology and prevention, including work on tanning addiction.

Specialized Terms: Nutrition; Cancer prevention; Cancer survivorship

Extensive Research Description


Smoking Cessation

Tanning Addiction

Diet and exercise in cancer survivors

Long-term cancer survivorship



Coauthors

Research Interests

Carcinoma; Chronic Disease; Epidemiology; Nutrition Disorders; Ovarian Neoplasms; Stress, Psychological; Tanning; Disease-Free Survival; Nutritional Sciences

Public Health Interests

Cancer; Mental Health; Nutrition

Selected Publications

  • Abstract C104: A scoping review of diet and physical activity interventions in Latina and Black breast cancer survivorsRomero-Ramos Y, Irwin M, Velazquez A, Ferruci L, Sanft T, Cartmel B, Pichardo M. Abstract C104: A scoping review of diet and physical activity interventions in Latina and Black breast cancer survivors Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 2023, 32: c104-c104. DOI: 10.1158/1538-7755.disp22-c104.
  • Randomized trial of diet and exercise on chemotherapy completion in women with breast cancer: The Lifestyle, Exercise, and Nutrition Early After Diagnosis (LEANer) study.Sanft T, Harrigan M, Cartmel B, Li F, Zupa M, Zupa M, McGowan C, Ferrucci L, Puklin L, Nguyen T, Nguyen T, Tanasijevic A, Tanasijevic A, Neuhouser M, Neuhouser M, Hershman D, Hershman D, Basen-Engquist K, Basen-Engquist K, Jones B, Knobf M, Chagpar A, Silber A, Ligibel J, Ligibel J, Irwin M. Randomized trial of diet and exercise on chemotherapy completion in women with breast cancer: The Lifestyle, Exercise, and Nutrition Early After Diagnosis (LEANer) study. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2022, 40: 12007-12007. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.12007.
  • Impact of a randomized weight loss trial on breast tissue markers in breast cancer survivors.Dieli-Conwright C, Harrigan M, Cartmel B, Chagpar A, Bai Y, Rimm D, Pusztai L, Lu L, Sanft T, Irwin M. Impact of a randomized weight loss trial on breast tissue markers in breast cancer survivors. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2021, 39: e12501-e12501. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.e12501.
  • Abstract PS8-09: Dietary supplement use in a healthy eating and exercise lifestyle intervention in breast cancer survivors: The lifestyle exercise and nutrition (LEAN) studyNguyen T, Nguyen T, Harrigan M, Mcgowan C, Hood A, Hood A, Li F, Cartmel B, Ferrucci L, Irwin M, Sanft T. Abstract PS8-09: Dietary supplement use in a healthy eating and exercise lifestyle intervention in breast cancer survivors: The lifestyle exercise and nutrition (LEAN) study Cancer Research 2021, 81: ps8-09-ps8-09. DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs20-ps8-09.
  • Abstract PS8-17: Assessing effect modification of obesity-associated genes variants in FTO , MC4R , BDNF , and CREB1 on weight loss among breast cancer survivors enrolled in the randomized lifestyle, exercise, and nutrition (LEAN) studyNguyen T, Nguyen T, Irwin M, Dewan A, Harrigan M, Cartmel B, Sanft T, Lu L, Li F, Salinas Y. Abstract PS8-17: Assessing effect modification of obesity-associated genes variants in FTO , MC4R , BDNF , and CREB1 on weight loss among breast cancer survivors enrolled in the randomized lifestyle, exercise, and nutrition (LEAN) study Cancer Research 2021, 81: ps8-17-ps8-17. DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs20-ps8-17.
  • A randomized trial of a healthy lifestyle intervention versus usual care on chemotherapy and endocrine therapy adherence rate in women with breast cancer: The Lifestyle Exercise and Nutrition Early After Diagnosis (LEANER) Study.Sanft T, Harrigan M, Cartmel B, Ferrucci L, Basen-Engquist K, Basen-Engquist K, Hershman D, Hershman D, Ligibel J, Ligibel J, Neuhouser M, Neuhouser M, Chagpar A, Jones B, Knobf M, Silber A, Li F, Irwin M. A randomized trial of a healthy lifestyle intervention versus usual care on chemotherapy and endocrine therapy adherence rate in women with breast cancer: The Lifestyle Exercise and Nutrition Early After Diagnosis (LEANER) Study. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2019, 37: tps11633-tps11633. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2019.37.15_suppl.tps11633.
  • Association between lifestyle factors and completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.Usiskin I, Usiskin I, Li F, Irwin M, Cartmel B, Sanft T. Association between lifestyle factors and completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2018, 36: 91-91. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2018.36.7_suppl.91.
  • Lung Cancer Screening at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer CenterCartmel B, Jones B, Fucito L, Tanoue L, Sather P, Toll B. Lung Cancer Screening at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center Journal Of Thoracic Oncology 2017, 12: s1544. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2017.06.054.
  • Abstract 5321: Metabolomics and body mass index among breast cancer survivors in The Lifestyle, Exercise, and Nutrition (LEAN) StudyFerrucci L, Cartmel B, Harrigan M, Sanft T, Playdon M, Jia W, Yu H, Johnson C, Pusztai L, Chagpar A, Irwin M. Abstract 5321: Metabolomics and body mass index among breast cancer survivors in The Lifestyle, Exercise, and Nutrition (LEAN) Study Cancer Research 2017, 77: 5321-5321. DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2017-5321.
  • Multicenter, randomized phase II trial of physical activity (PA), metformin (Met), or the combination on metabolic biomarkers in stage I-III colorectal (CRC) and breast cancer (BC) survivors.Meyerhardt J, Irwin M, Jones L, Zhang S, Campbell N, Brown J, Pollak M, Sorrentino A, Cartmel B, Harrigan M, West M, Tolaney S, Yung R, Winer E, Ng K, Abrams T, Fuchs C, Sanft T, Douglas P, Ligibel J. Multicenter, randomized phase II trial of physical activity (PA), metformin (Met), or the combination on metabolic biomarkers in stage I-III colorectal (CRC) and breast cancer (BC) survivors. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2017, 35: 10059-10059. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2017.35.15_suppl.10059.
  • Predictors of Weight Change in Breast Cancer Survivors: The Lifestyle, Exercise and Nutrition (LEAN) Randomized Weight Loss TrialHarrigan M, Playdon M, Cartmel B, Loftfield E, Sanft T, Chagpar A, Zhou Y, Anderson C, Pusztai L, Irwin M. Predictors of Weight Change in Breast Cancer Survivors: The Lifestyle, Exercise and Nutrition (LEAN) Randomized Weight Loss Trial Journal Of The Academy Of Nutrition And Dietetics 2016, 116: a90. DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2016.06.326.
  • Impact of weight loss and exercise on VEGF levels in breast cancer survivors.Sanft T, Cartmel B, Harrigan M, Li F, Loftfield E, Playdon M, Zhou Y, Gross C, Ligibel J, SCHMITZ K, Hershman D, Pusztai L, Irwin M. Impact of weight loss and exercise on VEGF levels in breast cancer survivors. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2016, 34: 10103-10103. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2016.34.15_suppl.10103.
  • Randomized trial of exercise vs. usual care on cancer biomarkers in ovarian cancer survivors: The Women’s Activity and Lifestyle Study in Connecticut (WALC).Cartmel B, Zhou Y, Gottlieb L, Li F, Ercolano E, Harrigan M, McCorkle R, Ligibel J, Gogoi R, Schwartz P, Risch H, Irwin M. Randomized trial of exercise vs. usual care on cancer biomarkers in ovarian cancer survivors: The Women’s Activity and Lifestyle Study in Connecticut (WALC). Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2016, 34: 5561-5561. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2016.34.15_suppl.5561.
  • Randomized Trial Of Exercise On Body Composition In Breast Cancer Survivors Taking Aromatase InhibitorsThomas G, Cartmel B, Harrigan M, Fiellin M, Capozza S, Zhou Y, Ercolano E, Gross C, Hershman D, Ligibel J, Schmitz K, Li F, Sanft T, Irwin M. Randomized Trial Of Exercise On Body Composition In Breast Cancer Survivors Taking Aromatase Inhibitors Medicine & Science In Sports & Exercise 2016, 48: 334. DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0000486010.57056.60.
  • Abstract P3-08-01: Randomized controlled trial of weight loss vs. usual care on telomere length in women with breast cancer: The lifestyle, exercise and nutrition (LEAN) studySanft T, Lu L, Harrigan M, Cartmel B, Zhou Y, Chagpar A, Pusztai L, Irwin M. Abstract P3-08-01: Randomized controlled trial of weight loss vs. usual care on telomere length in women with breast cancer: The lifestyle, exercise and nutrition (LEAN) study Cancer Research 2016, 76: p3-08-01-p3-08-01. DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs15-p3-08-01.
  • Effect of weight history on ability to lose weight after a 6-month randomized controlled weight loss trial in overweight breast cancer survivors: The Lifestyle, Exercise and Nutrition (LEAN) study.Sanft T, Harrigan M, Cartmel B, Playdon M, Zhou Y, Loftfield E, Irwin M. Effect of weight history on ability to lose weight after a 6-month randomized controlled weight loss trial in overweight breast cancer survivors: The Lifestyle, Exercise and Nutrition (LEAN) study. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2016, 34: 174-174. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2016.34.3_suppl.174.
  • Attitudes and predictors of sunless tanning in a sample of young adultsAnderson C, Cartmel B, Mayne S, Ferrucci L. Attitudes and predictors of sunless tanning in a sample of young adults Dermatology Online Journal 2016, 22 DOI: 10.5070/d3229032520.
  • Body mass index, height and early-onset basal cell carcinoma in a case-control studyZhang Y, Cartmel B, Choy C, Molinaro A, Leffell D, Bale A, Mayne S, Ferucci L. Body mass index, height and early-onset basal cell carcinoma in a case-control study Dermatology Online Journal 2016, 22 DOI: 10.5070/d3229032524.
  • Predictors of tanning dependence in white non-hispanic females and malesCartmel B, Mayne S, Bale A, Gelernter J, DeWan A, Leffell D, Pagoto S, Spain P, Ferrucci L. Predictors of tanning dependence in white non-hispanic females and males Dermatology Online Journal 2016, 22 DOI: 10.5070/d3229032556.
  • Compliance with indoor tanning laws for minors among salons and business in the United StatesChoy C, Cartmel B, Clare R, Ferrucci L. Compliance with indoor tanning laws for minors among salons and business in the United States Dermatology Online Journal 2016, 22 DOI: 10.5070/d3229032531.
  • Abstract A50: Impact of indoor tanning and MC1R genotype on basal cell carcinoma risk in young peopleMolinaro A, Ferrucci L, Cartmel B, Loftfield E, Leffell D, Bale A, Mayne S. Abstract A50: Impact of indoor tanning and MC1R genotype on basal cell carcinoma risk in young people Cancer Prevention Research 2015, 8: a50-a50. DOI: 10.1158/1940-6215.prev-14-a50.
  • Randomized trial of exercise on quality of life and fatigue in women diagnosed with ovarian cancer: The Women’s Activity and Lifestyle Study in Connecticut (WALC).Zhou Y, Gottlieb L, Cartmel B, Li F, Ercolano E, Harrigan M, McCorkle R, Ligibel J, Von Gruenigen V, Gogoi R, Schwartz P, Risch H, Irwin M. Randomized trial of exercise on quality of life and fatigue in women diagnosed with ovarian cancer: The Women’s Activity and Lifestyle Study in Connecticut (WALC). Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2015, 33: 9505-9505. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2015.33.15_suppl.9505.
  • Impact of the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA Program on physical activity, fitness, and quality of life in cancer survivors.Irwin M, Cartmel B, Harrigan M, Sanft T, Wong C, Hughes M, Hootsmans N, Winterhalter B, Shockro L, O'Connor K, Tolaney S, Mayer E, Yung R, Freedman R, Ligibel J. Impact of the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA Program on physical activity, fitness, and quality of life in cancer survivors. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2015, 33: 9508-9508. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2015.33.15_suppl.9508.
  • Effect of weight loss intervention on inflammatory and metabolic markers in breast cancer survivors: The lifestyle, exercise, and nutrition (LEAN) study.Loftfield E, Loftfield E, Harrigan M, Li F, Cartmel B, Zhou Y, Playdon M, Playdon M, Lu L, Sanft T, Irwin M. Effect of weight loss intervention on inflammatory and metabolic markers in breast cancer survivors: The lifestyle, exercise, and nutrition (LEAN) study. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2014, 32: 1505-1505. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2014.32.15_suppl.1505.
  • Effect of exercise on weight, body fat, and serum inflammatory biomarkers in breast cancer survivors with aromatase inhibitor arthralgias: The hormones and physical exercise (HOPE) study.Irwin M, Cartmel B, Gross C, Li F, Yao X, Yao X, Fiellin M, Fiellin M, Ercolano E, Ercolano E, Harrigan M, Zhou Y, Zhou Y, Sanft T, Schmitz K, Schmitz K, Hershman D, Hershman D, Ligibel J, Ligibel J. Effect of exercise on weight, body fat, and serum inflammatory biomarkers in breast cancer survivors with aromatase inhibitor arthralgias: The hormones and physical exercise (HOPE) study. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2014, 32: 9536-9536. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2014.32.15_suppl.9536.
  • Effect of weight history on ability to lose weight after a 6-month randomized controlled weight loss trial in overweight breast cancer survivors: The lifestyle, exercise, and nutrition (LEAN) study.Sanft T, Harrigan M, Cartmel B, Playdon M, Zhou Y, Loftfield E, Irwin M. Effect of weight history on ability to lose weight after a 6-month randomized controlled weight loss trial in overweight breast cancer survivors: The lifestyle, exercise, and nutrition (LEAN) study. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2014, 32: e20591-e20591. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2014.32.15_suppl.e20591.
  • Abstract S3-03: Randomized trial of exercise vs. usual care on aromatase inhibitor-associated arthralgias in women with breast cancer: The hormones and physical exercise (HOPE) studyIrwin M, Cartmel B, Gross C, Ercolano E, Fiellin M, Capozza S, Rothbard M, Zhou Y, Harrigan M, Sanft T, Schmitz K, Neogi T, Hershman D, Ligibel J. Abstract S3-03: Randomized trial of exercise vs. usual care on aromatase inhibitor-associated arthralgias in women with breast cancer: The hormones and physical exercise (HOPE) study Cancer Research 2013, 73: s3-03-s3-03. DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.sabcs13-s3-03.
  • Skin total carotenoids predict plasma carotenoid levels during a 28‐week experimental feeding study with varying levels of vegetables and fruitJahns L, Whigham L, Johnson L, Mayne S, Cartmel B, Ermakov I, Gellermann W. Skin total carotenoids predict plasma carotenoid levels during a 28‐week experimental feeding study with varying levels of vegetables and fruit The FASEB Journal 2013, 27: 230.7-230.7. DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.230.7.
  • Trial of exercise in ovarian cancer survivors.Irwin M, Gottlieb L, Cartmel B, Ercolano E, Rothbard M, Zhou Y, Schwartz P, Ligibel J, Von Gruenigen V, Risch H. Trial of exercise in ovarian cancer survivors. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2012, 30: tps1614-tps1614. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.tps1614.
  • Aromatase inhibitors, arthralgias, and exercise in breast cancer survivors.Irwin M, Cartmel B, Ercolano E, Fiellin M, Rothbard M, Capozza S, Zhou Y, Schmitz K, Ligibel J, Hershman D, Neogi T, Gross C. Aromatase inhibitors, arthralgias, and exercise in breast cancer survivors. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2012, 30: tps669-tps669. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.tps669.
  • Abstract 633: Synergistic interplay between long-term overweight and long menstrual years in endometrial cancerLu L, Lee S, Mayne S, Irwin M, Cartmel B, Risch H, Yu H. Abstract 633: Synergistic interplay between long-term overweight and long menstrual years in endometrial cancer Cancer Research 2012, 72: 633-633. DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2012-633.
  • Abstract 635: Indoor tanning and risk of early-onset basal cell carcinomaFerrucci L, Cartmel B, Molinaro A, Leffell D, Bale A, Mayne S. Abstract 635: Indoor tanning and risk of early-onset basal cell carcinoma Cancer Research 2012, 72: 635-635. DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2012-635.
  • Dermal Carotenoids as Measured by Resonance Raman Spectroscopy as a Biomarker of Response to a Fruit/Vegetable Intervention StudyJahns L, Whigham L, Johnson L, Mayne S, Cartmel B, Ermakov I, Gellermann W. Dermal Carotenoids as Measured by Resonance Raman Spectroscopy as a Biomarker of Response to a Fruit/Vegetable Intervention Study The FASEB Journal 2012, 26: 131.3-131.3. DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.131.3.
  • Abstract A83: Host phenotype characteristics and MC1R in relation to early-onset basal cell carcinomaFerrucci L, Cartmel B, Molinaro A, Gordon P, Leffell D, Bale A, Mayne S. Abstract A83: Host phenotype characteristics and MC1R in relation to early-onset basal cell carcinoma Cancer Prevention Research 2011, 4: a83-a83. DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.prev-11-a83.
  • Tea and coffee and basal cell carcinoma in a case‐control studyFerrucci L, Cartmel B, Molinaro A, Leffell D, Bale A, Mayne S. Tea and coffee and basal cell carcinoma in a case‐control study The FASEB Journal 2011, 25: 978.2-978.2. DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.978.2.
  • Novel, Noninvasive Biomarker of Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Preschool ChildrenScarmo S, Kennedy K, Harrington H, Cartmel B, Lin H, Duffy V, Mayne S. Novel, Noninvasive Biomarker of Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Preschool Children Annals Of Epidemiology 2009, 19: 659. DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2009.07.061.
  • Epidemiology and Intervention TrialsMayne S, Wright M, Cartmel B. Epidemiology and Intervention Trials 2009, 191-210. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-7643-7501-0_10.
  • Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera and Essential Thrombocythemia.Ma X, Vanasse K, Selinger H, Wang Y, Cartmel B. Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera and Essential Thrombocythemia. Blood 2007, 110: 4667-4667. DOI: 10.1182/blood.v110.11.4667.4667.
  • Incidence of Polycythemia Vera in the Elderly.Ma X, Selinger H, Wang Y, Cartmel B. Incidence of Polycythemia Vera in the Elderly. Blood 2007, 110: 4668-4668. DOI: 10.1182/blood.v110.11.4668.4668.
  • CarotenoidsMayne S, Cartmel B. Carotenoids 2004, 511-523. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59259-767-3_33.
  • Chapter 18 Chemoprevention of Oral Premalignant LesionsMayne S, Cartmel B, Morse D. Chapter 18 Chemoprevention of Oral Premalignant Lesions 2003, 261-269. DOI: 10.1016/b978-012239990-9/50019-9.