Leah Ferrucci, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Epidemiology (Chronic Diseases)
Research & Publications
Biography
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Research Summary
Dr. Ferrucci’s primary research interests are in elucidating modifiable causes of cancer and developing a better understanding of how cancer impacts the individual across various life domains. She focuses mainly on evaluating diet/nutrition and ultraviolet radiation related exposures in relation to cancer. Her research also encompasses the needs and experiences of cancer survivors, including health information needs and quality of life, utilizing a unique national longitudinal study of cancer survivors. Dr. Ferrucci is working to translate some of her etiologic and descriptive findings into behavioral and structural interventions for individuals and communities to reduce cancer risk and impact survivorship. Dr. Ferrucci has conducted both quantitative and qualitative research to develop a behavioral prevention intervention to prevent indoor tanning in young people. In addition to her work on skin cancer prevention, Dr. Ferrucci is also studying sun exposure, sun protection behaviors, and indoor tanning among skin cancer survivors after their diagnosis to better understand these risk behaviors after a cancer diagnosis. Her work in nutrition and diet currently includes an evaluation of diet quality and food insecurity in female cancer survivors and an evaluation of the gut microbiome and metabolomics in breast cancer survivors enrolled in a weigh-loss trial. She is also studying diet quality as assessed by skin carotenoids in relation to chemotherapy-related side effects in breast cancer patients.
Extensive Research Description
Understanding ultraviolet radiation exposure in skin cancer survivors
Understanding and preventing indoor tanning among young adults and adolescents
Diet quality and food insecurity in female cancers survivors
Microbiome and metabolomics in relation to weight loss in breast cancers survivors
Dietary meat intake and colorectal neoplasia
Needs of long-term cancer survivors
Diet quality and chemotherapy related side effects
Coauthors
Research Interests
Breast Neoplasms; Chronic Disease; Diet; Epidemiology; Public Health; Skin Neoplasms; Tanning; Colorectal Neoplasms; Survivors; Metabolomics
Public Health Interests
Cancer; Nutrition
Selected Publications
- Post-diagnosis weight trajectories and mortality among women with breast cancerPuklin L, Li F, Cartmel B, Zhao J, Sanft T, Lisevick A, Winer E, Lustberg M, Spiegelman D, Sharifi M, Irwin M, Ferrucci L. Post-diagnosis weight trajectories and mortality among women with breast cancer. Npj Breast Cancer 2023, 9: 98. PMID: 38042922, PMCID: PMC10693588, DOI: 10.1038/s41523-023-00603-5.
- Randomized Trial Evaluating a Self-Guided Lifestyle Intervention Delivered via Evidence-Based Materials versus a Waitlist Group on Changes in Body Weight, Diet Quality, Physical Activity, and Quality of Life among Breast Cancer SurvivorsPuklin L, Harrigan M, Cartmel B, Sanft T, Gottlieb L, Zhou B, Ferrucci L, Li F, Spiegelman D, Sharifi M, Irwin M. Randomized Trial Evaluating a Self-Guided Lifestyle Intervention Delivered via Evidence-Based Materials versus a Waitlist Group on Changes in Body Weight, Diet Quality, Physical Activity, and Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Survivors. Cancers 2023, 15: 4719. PMID: 37835412, PMCID: PMC10571774, DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194719.
- Randomized Trial of Exercise and Nutrition on Chemotherapy Completion and Pathologic Complete Response in Women With Breast Cancer: The Lifestyle, Exercise, and Nutrition Early After Diagnosis StudySanft T, Harrigan M, McGowan C, Cartmel B, Zupa M, Li F, Ferrucci L, Puklin L, Cao A, Nguyen T, Neuhouser M, Hershman D, Basen-Engquist K, Jones B, Knobf T, Chagpar A, Silber A, Tanasijevic A, Ligibel J, Irwin M. Randomized Trial of Exercise and Nutrition on Chemotherapy Completion and Pathologic Complete Response in Women With Breast Cancer: The Lifestyle, Exercise, and Nutrition Early After Diagnosis Study. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2023, 41: 5285-5295. PMID: 37656930, PMCID: PMC10691793, DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.00871.
- Structural Racism, Lifestyle Behaviors, and Obesity-related Cancers among Black and Hispanic/Latino Adults in the United States: A Narrative Review.Pichardo M, Ferrucci L, Molina Y, Esserman D, Irwin M. Structural Racism, Lifestyle Behaviors, and Obesity-related Cancers among Black and Hispanic/Latino Adults in the United States: A Narrative Review. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 2023, 32: 1498-1507. PMID: 37650844, PMCID: PMC10872641, DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-22-1147.
- Effect of Exercise on Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Among Patients Treated for Ovarian CancerCao A, Cartmel B, Li F, Gottlieb L, Harrigan M, Ligibel J, Gogoi R, Schwartz P, Esserman D, Irwin M, Ferrucci L. Effect of Exercise on Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Among Patients Treated for Ovarian Cancer. JAMA Network Open 2023, 6: e2326463. PMID: 37526937, PMCID: PMC10394582, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.26463.
- A review of the impact of energy balance on triple-negative breast cancerAkingbesote N, Owusu D, Liu R, Cartmel B, Ferrucci L, Zupa M, Lustberg M, Sanft T, Blenman K, Irwin M, Perry R. A review of the impact of energy balance on triple-negative breast cancer. JNCI Monographs 2023, 2023: 104-124. PMID: 37139977, DOI: 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgad011.
- Diet and physical activity interventions in Black and Latina women with breast cancer: A scoping reviewPichardo M, Sanft T, Ferrucci L, Romero-Ramos Y, Cartmel B, Harrigan M, Velazquez A, Fayanju O, Winer E, Irwin M. Diet and physical activity interventions in Black and Latina women with breast cancer: A scoping review. Frontiers In Oncology 2023, 13: 1079293. PMID: 36994212, PMCID: PMC10040823, DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1079293.
- Abstract PD12-01: PD12-01 Impact of obesity and post-diagnosis weight change on survival in women with breast cancer diagnosed at Smilow Cancer Hospital from 2013-2019Puklin L, Li F, Cartmel B, Sanft T, Lisevick A, Winer E, Lustberg M, Sharifi M, Irwin M, Ferrucci L. Abstract PD12-01: PD12-01 Impact of obesity and post-diagnosis weight change on survival in women with breast cancer diagnosed at Smilow Cancer Hospital from 2013-2019. Cancer Research 2023, 83: pd12-01-pd12-01. DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs22-pd12-01.
- Abstract PD12-08: PD12-08 Randomized trial of exercise and nutrition on pathological complete response among women with breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy: the Lifestyle, Exercise and Nutrition Early after Diagnosis (LEANer) StudyFerrucci L, Sanft T, Harrigan M, Cartmel B, Li F, Zupa M, McGowan C, Puklin L, Nguyen T, Tanasijevic A, Neuhouser M, Hershman D, Basen-Engquist K, Jones B, Knobf T, Chagpar A, Silber A, Ligibel J, Irwin M. Abstract PD12-08: PD12-08 Randomized trial of exercise and nutrition on pathological complete response among women with breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy: the Lifestyle, Exercise and Nutrition Early after Diagnosis (LEANer) Study. Cancer Research 2023, 83: pd12-08-pd12-08. DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs22-pd12-08.
- A qualitative study identifying challenges resulting from complex evidence on lifestyle factors and cancer: perspectives from Black and Latina cancer survivors and healthcare providersPichardo M, Irwin M, Sanft T, Ferrucci L, Ginader A, Nguyen T, Esserman D, Cartmel B, Molina Y. A qualitative study identifying challenges resulting from complex evidence on lifestyle factors and cancer: perspectives from Black and Latina cancer survivors and healthcare providers. Supportive Care In Cancer 2023, 31: 111. PMID: 36633678, PMCID: PMC9912693, DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07539-9.
- Exercise adherence in a randomized controlled trial of exercise on quality of life in ovarian cancer survivorsCao A, Cartmel B, Li F, Gottlieb L, Harrigan M, Ligibel J, Gogoi R, Schwartz P, Irwin M, Ferrucci L. Exercise adherence in a randomized controlled trial of exercise on quality of life in ovarian cancer survivors. Journal Of Cancer Survivorship 2022, 17: 535-543. PMID: 36550261, PMCID: PMC10038915, DOI: 10.1007/s11764-022-01325-6.
- 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, McGowan C, Ferrucci L, Puklin L, Nguyen T, Tanasijevic A, Neuhouser M, Hershman D, Basen-Engquist K, Jones B, Knobf M, Chagpar A, Silber A, 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.
- 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, Harrigan M, Mcgowan C, 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.
- EnergeticsFerrucci L, Irwin M. Energetics. 2020, 303-320. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-42011-6_15.
- 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, Hershman D, Ligibel J, 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.
- 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.
- Predictors of tanning dependence in white non‐Hispanic females and malesCartmel B, Bale AE, Mayne ST, Gelernter JE, DeWan AT, Spain P, Leffell DJ, Pagoto S, Ferrucci LM. Predictors of tanning dependence in white non‐Hispanic females and males. Journal Of The European Academy Of Dermatology And Venereology 2017, 31: 1223-1228. PMID: 28129487, PMCID: PMC5522341, DOI: 10.1111/jdv.14138.
- Body mass index, height and early-onset basal cell carcinoma in a case-control studyZhang Y, Cartmel B, Choy CC, Molinaro AM, Leffell DJ, Bale AE, Mayne ST, Ferrucci LM. Body mass index, height and early-onset basal cell carcinoma in a case-control study. Cancer Epidemiology 2016, 46: 66-72. PMID: 28039770, PMCID: PMC5272867, DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2016.12.007.
- 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.
- 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.
- Indoor Tanning and the MC1R Genotype: Risk Prediction for Basal Cell Carcinoma Risk in Young PeopleMolinaro AM, Ferrucci LM, Cartmel B, Loftfield E, Leffell DJ, Bale AE, Mayne ST. Indoor Tanning and the MC1R Genotype: Risk Prediction for Basal Cell Carcinoma Risk in Young People. American Journal Of Epidemiology 2015, 181: 908-916. PMID: 25858289, PMCID: PMC4445390, DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwu356.
- Novel gene identified in an exome‐wide association study of tanning dependenceCartmel B, Dewan A, Ferrucci LM, Gelernter J, Stapleton J, Leffell DJ, Mayne ST, Bale AE. Novel gene identified in an exome‐wide association study of tanning dependence. Experimental Dermatology 2014, 23: 757-759. PMID: 25041255, PMCID: PMC4204712, DOI: 10.1111/exd.12503.
- Indoor tanning in businesses and homes and risk of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer in 2 US case-control studiesFerrucci LM, Vogel RI, Cartmel B, Lazovich D, Mayne ST. Indoor tanning in businesses and homes and risk of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer in 2 US case-control studies. Journal Of The American Academy Of Dermatology 2014, 71: 882-887. PMID: 25062934, PMCID: PMC4250424, DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2014.06.046.
- Tea, coffee, and caffeine and early-onset basal cell carcinoma in a case–control studyFerrucci LM, Cartmel B, Molinaro AM, Leffell DJ, Bale AE, Mayne ST. Tea, coffee, and caffeine and early-onset basal cell carcinoma in a case–control study. European Journal Of Cancer Prevention 2014, 23: 296-302. PMID: 24841641, PMCID: PMC4059399, DOI: 10.1097/cej.0000000000000037.
- Indoor Tanning and Tanning Dependence in Young People After a Diagnosis of Basal Cell CarcinomaCartmel B, Ferrucci LM, Spain P, Bale AE, Pagoto SL, Leffell DJ, Gelernter J, Mayne ST. Indoor Tanning and Tanning Dependence in Young People After a Diagnosis of Basal Cell Carcinoma. JAMA Dermatology 2013, 149: 1110-1111. PMID: 23824273, PMCID: PMC3782995, DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.5104.
- Do nonmelanoma skin cancer survivors use tanning beds more often than the general public?Wiznia L, Ferrucci L, Mayne S, Chagpar A. Do nonmelanoma skin cancer survivors use tanning beds more often than the general public? Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2013, 31: e20017-e20017. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2013.31.15_suppl.e20017.
- Abstract 1365: Sun protection practices among melanoma survivors.Puthumana J, Ferrucci L, Mayne S, Lannin D, Chagpar A. Abstract 1365: Sun protection practices among melanoma survivors. Cancer Research 2013, 73: 1365-1365. DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2013-1365.
- Dietary Iron, Iron Homeostatic Gene Polymorphisms and the Risk of Advanced Colorectal Adenoma and CancerRuder E, Berndt S, Gilsing A, Graubard B, Burdett L, Hayes R, Weissfeld J, Ferrucci L, Sinha R, Cross A. Dietary Iron, Iron Homeostatic Gene Polymorphisms and the Risk of Advanced Colorectal Adenoma and Cancer. Journal Of The Academy Of Nutrition And Dietetics 2012, 112: a13. DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2012.06.045.
- 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.
- Meat consumption and the risk of incident distal colon and rectal adenomaFerrucci LM, Sinha R, Huang WY, Berndt SI, Katki HA, Schoen RE, Hayes RB, Cross AJ. Meat consumption and the risk of incident distal colon and rectal adenoma. British Journal Of Cancer 2011, 106: 608-616. PMID: 22166801, PMCID: PMC3281548, DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2011.549.
- Indoor tanning and risk of early-onset basal cell carcinomaFerrucci LM, Cartmel B, Molinaro AM, Leffell DJ, Bale AE, Mayne ST. Indoor tanning and risk of early-onset basal cell carcinoma. Journal Of The American Academy Of Dermatology 2011, 67: 552-562. PMID: 22153793, PMCID: PMC3307842, DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2011.11.940.
- Host Phenotype Characteristics and MC1R in Relation to Early-Onset Basal Cell CarcinomaFerrucci LM, Cartmel B, Molinaro AM, Gordon PB, Leffell DJ, Bale AE, Mayne ST. Host Phenotype Characteristics and MC1R in Relation to Early-Onset Basal Cell Carcinoma. Journal Of Investigative Dermatology 2011, 132: 1272-1279. PMID: 22158557, PMCID: PMC3305835, DOI: 10.1038/jid.2011.402.
- 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.
- Meat and components of meat and the risk of bladder cancer in the NIH‐AARP Diet and Health StudyFerrucci LM, Sinha R, Ward MH, Graubard BI, Hollenbeck AR, Kilfoy BA, Schatzkin A, Michaud DS, Cross AJ. Meat and components of meat and the risk of bladder cancer in the NIH‐AARP Diet and Health Study. Cancer 2010, 116: 4345-4353. PMID: 20681011, PMCID: PMC2936663, DOI: 10.1002/cncr.25463.
- Red and processed meat intake and risk of colorectal adenoma and carcinoma from a molecular epidemiological point of viewSinha R, Ferrucci L, Cross A. Red and processed meat intake and risk of colorectal adenoma and carcinoma from a molecular epidemiological point of view. Toxicology Letters 2010, 196: s5. DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2010.03.039.
- Abstract B129: Xenobiotic metabolizing genes, meat intake and risk of advanced colorectal adenomaFerrucci L, Cross A, Gunter M, Ahn J, Mayne S, Ma X, Chanock S, Yeager M, Graubard B, Berndt S, Huang W, Hayes R, Sinha R. Abstract B129: Xenobiotic metabolizing genes, meat intake and risk of advanced colorectal adenoma. Cancer Prevention Research 2008, 1: b129-b129. DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.prev-08-b129.