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Leslie Bernstein Video
Leslie Bernstein Video

Leslie Bernstein, Ph.D.

  • Professor, Division of Biomarkers of Early Detection and Prevention, Department of Population Sciences

Leslie Bernstein, Ph.D.

Research Focus :
  • Cancer Etiology
  • Cancer Prevention
  • Modifiable Risk Factors in Cancer

Among the most accomplished researchers working in cancer epidemiology today, Bernstein was instrumental in identifying physical activity as a means to reduce the risk of breast cancer. She is involved in projects to explore the links between hormone exposures, physical activity, obesity and cancer. She is also examining how breast cancer impacts the lives of women after they are finished with treatment.

Download her full CV.

Professional Experience

  • 2016 to Present, Professor, Division of Biomarkers of Early Detection and Prevention, Department of Population Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA
  • 2014 to 2015, Interim Chair, Department of Population Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA
  • 2007 to present, Professor, Department of Population Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA
  • 2007 to 2016, Director, Division of Cancer Etiology, Department of Population Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA
  • 2007 to 2014, Dean for Faculty Affairs, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
  • 2007 to present - Professor Emeritus, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA 2006 to 2007, Chair, Department of Preventive Medicine Faculty Appointments, Promotions Committee
  • 2003 to 2007, Program Leader, Women’s Cancer Program, USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • 2003 to 2004, Vice Provost, Medical Affairs, USC, Los Angeles California
  • 1998 to 2007, AFLAC, Incorporated, Chair in Cancer Research
  • 1996 to 2003, Senior Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs, Keck School of Medicine USC, Los Angeles, CA
  • 1991 to 2007, Professor of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine USC, Los Angeles, CA
  • 1988 to 2007, Scientific Director, USC Cancer Surveillance Program (for Los Angeles County)
  • 1988 to 1991, Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine, USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
  • 1982 to 1988, Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine, USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA

Member of the Following Research Teams

  • Population Sciences
  • Division of Biomarkers of Early Detection and Prevention

Education

Degrees

  • 1981, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, Ph.D., Biometry
  • 1978, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, M.S., Gerontology
  • 1965, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, B.A., Mathematics

Research

California Teachers Study
 
In 1995 and 1996, 133,479 female teachers and public school professionals in California responded to a request to participate in a large prospective cohort study. Since then, those women have offered information about their lifestyles, health and backgrounds through mailed questionnaires, and some have given biological samples. This huge cache of data has allowed researchers to determine what differentiates the women who have developed cancer from those who have not.
 
Some of the most recent findings from the California Teacher Study include:
  • obesity is related to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer
  • small particulate air pollution is related to the risk of cardiovascular disease deaths
  • smoking and secondhand smoke may increase the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  • delayed onset of puberty may be related to an increased risk of thyroid cancer in younger women
  • a decrease in invasive breast cancer is explained in large part by the decline in use of hormone therapy to treat menopausal symptoms. 
Now, in an expansion of the California Teacher Study, researchers are collecting blood and saliva samples from more than 20,000 cohort members with no history of any cancer. This large group of biospecimens, along with data on diet, lifestyle and other factors, will help researchers identify new biomarkers for early detection, predict responses to treatments, and identify genetic and environmental interactions. This new information could lead to better treatments and perhaps prevention of cancer.

 

An Expert's Voice

Action Plan: Exercise Helps People with Cancer Thrive

July 18, 2017

Aspirin found to lower risk of breast cancer, City of Hope study suggests

May 01, 2017

Inside the California Teachers Study: The Future

March 08, 2017

Inside the California Teachers Study: The Teachers

March 04, 2017

Inside the California Teachers Study: The Finding

March 02, 2017

Inside the California Teachers Study: The Statistician

March 01, 2017

Does alcohol really cause 7 types of cancer?

August 29, 2016

Remember those New Year's resolutions? They can help reduce cancer risk

February 26, 2016

5 Important Ways to Observe World Cancer Day and reduce your cancer risk

February 01, 2016

Breast cancer: The return to wellness begins when treatment ends

October 05, 2015

Observe World Cancer Day by reducing your cancer risk. Here's how:

February 01, 2015

1 in 8 women? Understanding breast cancer statistics

October 01, 2014

Rise in skirt size linked to rise in breast cancer risk. Here's why

September 25, 2014

Aspirin might reduce risk of breast cancer recurrence for obese women

August 20, 2014

Weight gain can be an unexpected side effect of cancer treatment

February 18, 2014

Cancer and cuisine: Tips for leading a healthier life

January 31, 2014

Wellness Wednesday: Rising to the challenge of maintaining momentum

January 15, 2014

Cancer and cuisine: What you need to know about eating well

January 14, 2014

Wellness Wednesday: Get motivated to move more. Here's how

January 07, 2014

Foothill Fitness Challenge: And they're off!

October 05, 2013

Breast cancer risk: To lower it, exercise and limit alcohol (w/VIDEO)

September 29, 2013

Exercise lowers breast cancer risk; now researchers learn how

April 12, 2013

With hysterectomies, consider leaving the ovaries in, study suggests

March 25, 2013

High-fat dairy foods linked to lower breast cancer survival

March 18, 2013

To fight cancer, exercise for the long haul

February 01, 2013

Americans woefully underestimate cancer risk from obesity, survey says

January 07, 2013

America's Health Rankings 2012 -- and what they portend for cancer

December 11, 2012

Lose the sedentary lifestyle -- it could add years to your life

November 14, 2012

Here’s HOW to help unravel the mysteries of breast cancer

October 11, 2012

The answer could already be in your medicine cabinet

February 21, 2012

View More

Publications

For a full list of her publications, please download her CV here.

Information listed here is obtained from Pubmed, a public database; City of Hope is not responsible for its accuracy.

Memberships

  • Editorial Board, JAMA Oncology
  • Cohort Consortium Steering Committee
  • Deputy Editor, Breast Cacner Research
  • Chair, External Advisory Committee, Seattle Cancer Consortium Breast SPORE
  • Women in Cancer Research Council, AACR
  • Editorial Board, Obesity

Awards

  • 2015, First Mentor of the Year Award, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope
  • 2014, Recipient, Scientific Leadership Award, National Breast Cancer Coalition
  • 2010, Recipient, Abraham Lilienfeld Award for Lifetime Contributions to Epidemiology, American College of Epidemiology
  • 2010, Recipient, Rosalind E. Franklin Award, National Cancer Institute
  • 2007, Recipient, Brinker Award for Distinguished Achievement in Clinical Research, Komen For the Cure Foundation
  • 2007, AACR-Prevent Cancer Foundation Award for Excellence in Cancer Prevention Research
  • 2003, Recipient, American Society for Preventive Oncology Distinguished Achievement Award
  • 2001, Recipient, University of Southern California Elaine Stevely Hoffman Achievement Award
  • 2000, Recipient, University of Southern California Presidential Medallion

    Honors
  • 2015, Arthur Schatzkin Memorial Lecture, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genomics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville MD
  • 2011, First Geoffrey Howe Memorial Lecture, Columbia University School of Public Health, New York City, NY
  • 2010, Ruell A. Stallones Memorial Lecturer, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston TX
  • 2008, Judith P. Schlager Lecture, Breast Cancer: Current Controversies and New Horizons, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
  • 2006, Slone Memorial Lecture, Boston University
  • 2006, Meadow Brook Lecture, Southeast Michigan Center for Medical Education, Rochester, MI
  • 2005, Plenary Lecture, San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
  • 2005, Presenter, First EGRP Visiting Scholar Lecture, Epidemiology and Genetics Research Program, National Cancer Institute, 2005
  • 2005, Cutter Lectureship, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA
  • 2003, Presenter, Third Annual Advances in Cancer Prevention Lecture, National Cancer Institute.
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