Carol P. Somkin, PhD

Carol P. Somkin, PhD Kaiser Permanente Division of Research
2000 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612

(510) 891-3555 (phone)
carol.somkin@kp.org

Dr. Somkin’s work has addressed many topics, including the effectiveness of reminders to increase mammogram and Pap smear screening, the impact of sociodemographic and attitudinal barriers on various methods of cancer screening, and the effectiveness of a peer support program for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. She is currently studying barriers to participation in cancer clinical trials and the ethical social implications of genetics research.

Current Position(s):

Research Scientist II, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Member of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Advisory Council of the California Department of Health Services
Faculty member of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health and Society Scholars Program, University of California San Francisco and Berkeley

Primary Research Interests:

Clinical trials
Ethical, legal, social implications of genetics research
Health disparities
Multiethnic interventions
Breast cancer and cancer screening
Health services research

Related Web sites

Research Program on Genes, Environment and Health

Alameda County Network Program to Reduce Cancer Disparities

The goal of this project is to develop a Regional Center for Reducing Cancer Disparities through Outreach, Research and Training based in Alameda County, California, focusing on religion using Faith Based interventions that may be conducted in Faith Placed organizations.
Funder: National Cancer Institute
Principal Investigator: Somkin, Carol

Increasing Participation in Cancer Clinical Trials: Diversity Supplement

To test an organizational intervention to increase participation in national, cooperative group, cancer clinical trials.
Funder: National Cancer Institute
Principal Investigator: Somkin, Carol

Enabling Minority Participation in Clinical Trials (EMPaCT)

To collaborate with investigators at UCD to determine barriers to clinical trials accrual among minorities and ways to mitigate those barriers.
Funder: National Cancer Institute
Principal Investigator: Somkin, Carol

Colorectal Cancer Screening With FIT During Annual Flu Shot Clinics

The goal of this study is to develop and implement an intervention to increase colorectal cancer screening rates by providing home fecal immunochemical test kits (FIT) to eligible patients over age 50 who participate in annual influenza vaccination campaigns in a large managed care setting.
Funder: American Cancer Society
Principal Investigator: Somkin, Carol

Opportunistic Prevention: Providing Colorectal Cancer Screening in an Annual Flu Shot Clinic

This study aims to determine whether offering home fecal immunochemical test kits in the context of HMO-sponsored flu vaccine campaigns is a time-efficient and cost-effective method to increase colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) in adults age 50 and older.
Funder: Cancer Research Network
Principal Investigator: Somkin, Carol

Increasing Participation in Cancer Clinical Trials

This study tests an organizational intervention to increase participation in national, cooperative group, cancer clinical trials.
Funder: National Cancer Institute
Principal Investigator: Somkin, Carol

Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR)

This multi-site, randomized controlled trial compares the effectiveness of tamoxifen and raloxifene in reducing incidence of invasive breast cancer and their associated side effects among women at high risk for breast cancer.
Funder: National Cancer Institute
Principal Investigator: Somkin, Carol

HMO Research Network Coordinated Clinical Studies Network (CCSN)

This project develops a coordinated clinical studies network to increase the involvement of integrated delivery system patients in clinical trials through a program of research and demonstration.
Funder: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Principal Investigator: Somkin, Carol

Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT)

This multi-site randomized controlled trial assesses the effect of selenium and vitamin E alone and in combination on the clinical incidence of prostate cancer
Funder: National Cancer Institute
Principal Investigator: Somkin, Carol

Kaiser Permanente Division of Research