Celia P. Kaplan, DrPH, MA Associate Adjunct Professor Division of General Internal Medicine

Biography

My research efforts for the past 20 years fall under the common themes of minority health and cancer prevention and control. As primary or co-investigator, I have teamed with colleagues at UCSF and with fellow researchers at various academic institutions, both in the United States and internationally.

During the past two years, I have focused primarily on women's health, with an emphasis on breast cancer risk reduction, participation in clinical trials, quality of life after cancer diagnosis, and dissemination of information among Latino cancer patients. A secondary, yet important, research focus has been on adolescent health behaviors.

I have investigated factors affecting breast cancer risk reduction among both physicians and patients. Results of my study suggest that race/ethnicity is associated with recognition of preventive therapies and discussion of risk. Prior published studies conducted among physicians also illustrate the lack of adoption of breast cancer risk reduction practices, highlighting the need for further intervention research in this area.

As a result of my work with the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center Minority Task force, I have developed research related to issues of participation in clinical trials. I am in the process of completing a two-year study funded by the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program to examine the effects of clinical trial characteristics (e.g., accessibility and availability of trials, patient burden/benefit, cultural competence, and outreach efforts) and trial community indicators (the physical and social environment of the trial location) on physicians' counseling and referral of women patients to breast cancer clinical trials.

With respect to quality of life research, I have recently completed a study examining the differences in treatment decisions for women with ductal carcinoma in situ among Latinas and non-Latina Whites throughout California.

Based on the findings from these and other studies, the need to disseminate cancer information to minorities is clear. The Cancer Information Service (CIS) funded by the National Institutes of Health is a major source of cancer information. Unfortunately, Latino patients do not call the CIS. To address this issue, I am conducting a study designed to reach Latina patients by promoting CIS-initiated calls among patients identified at clinic sites.

As for my research of adolescent health behaviors, it has led to a series of publications addressing alcohol use, smoking, and sexual behavior among Latinos; attitudes about smoking among Vietnamese adolescents; and factors affecting smoking initiation among Chinese and Vietnamese adolescents.

The direction of my research demonstrates a solid commitment to cancer prevention and control among minority populations. I will continue that commitment in my professional endeavors, and specifically, will pursue research on issues of participation for minorities and cancer patients in clinical trials.

In addition to my research, I am co-chair of the Minority Task Force for the Comprehensive Cancer Center, which promotes recruitment and retention of minorities into UCSF's clinical trial projects. I am also a teacher and mentor to both students and faculty at UCSF.

As a Latina health researcher and instructor, I see the importance of adding beneficial information to the once scarce body of literature on minority populations, and most importantly, of translating research findings into practical interventions to help all peoples understand and receive better health care and to aid policy-makers and community organizers in developing efficacious programs.

Current Studies

1. Inclusion of Minority Patients in Breast Cancer Clinical Trials: The Role of the Clinical Trial Environment
Department of Defense/USAMRC, BC050899

To address persistent ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in cancer care, Dr. Kaplan is identifying and studying the combined effect of factors that contribute to low minority referrals and participation in clinical trials. Dr. Kaplan has identified key trial characteristics such as accessibility, availability, patient burden and benefit, outreach efforts, and cultural competence of clinical trial sites as factors that may impact minority recruitment.

If you received a letter inviting you to participate in this study, please use this link to connect to the survey. [Physician Survey]

2. CIS-Initiated Calls: Can We Enhance Information Services For Latino Patients?
NIH National Cancer Institute, CA126390

This study addresses the unmet informational needs of Latino cancer patients by increasing the reach of the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service (CIS). The objective is to develop an intervention that informs Latinos about the Cancer Information Service and proactively calls them to provide information about cancer, diagnosis, and treatment.

3. Latinas and DCIS: Treatment Decisions and Quality of Life
California Breast Cancer Research Program, BCRP 9RB-0517

This current study involves a cross-sectional survey of Latina and non-Latina white women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast. The overarching goal is to ameliorate the impact of DCIS on women and to assess and compare the treatment decision-making processes, quality of life, and follow-up care of Latinas and non-Latina whites with DCIS.

Selected Publications

1. Kaplan CP, Hilton JF, Park-Tanjasiri S, Pérez-Stable EJ. The Effect of Data Collection Mode on Smoking Attitudes and Behavior in Young African-American and Latina Women: Face-to-Face versus Self-Administered Questionnaires. Evaluation Review. 2001; 25(4):454-473.

2. Kaplan CP, Erickson P, Juarez-Reyes M. Acculturation, Gender Role Orientation, and Reproductive Risk-Taking Behavior among Latina Adolescent Family Planning Clients. J Adolesc Res. 2002; 17(2):103-121.

3. Kaplan CP, Zabkiewicz D, McPhee SJ, Nguyen T, Gregorich SE, Disogra C, Hilton JF, Jenkins C. Health-Compromising Behaviors among Vietnamese Adolescents: The Role of Education and Extracurricular Activities. J Adolesc Health. 2003; 32(5):374-383.

4. Kaplan CP, Crane LA, Stewart S, Juarez-Reyes M. Factors Affecting Follow-up among Low-Income Women with Breast Abnormalities. J Women's Health. 2004; 13(2):195-206.

5. Kaplan CP, Eisenberg M, Erickson PI, Crane LA, Duffey S. Barriers to Breast Abnormality Follow-Up: Minority, Low Income Patients' and their Providers' View. Ethnicity & Disease. 2005; 15(4): 720-726.

6. Kaplan CP, Haas JS, Pérez-Stable EJ, Des Jarlais G, Gregorich SE. Factors Affecting Breast Cancer Risk Reduction Practices among California Physicians. Prev Med. 2005; 41: 7-15.

7. Livaudais J, Kaplan C, Haas JS, Pérez-Stable EJ, Stewart S, Des Jarlais G. Lifestyle Behavior Counseling for Women Patients among a Sample of California Physicians. J Women's Health. 2005; 14(6):485-495.

8. Des Jarlais G, Kaplan CP, Haas JS, Gregorich SE, Pérez-Stable EJ, Kerlikowske K. Factors Affecting Participation in a Breast Cancer Risk Reduction Telephone Survey among Women from Four Racial/Ethnic Groups. Prev Med. 2005; 41:720-727.

9. Kaplan C, Haas J, Pérez-Stable E, Gregorich S, Somkin C, Des Jarlais G, Kerlikowske K. Breast Cancer Risk Reduction Options: Awareness, Discussion, and Use among Women from Four Ethnic Groups. Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev. 2006; 15(1): 162-166.

10. Joseph G, Kaplan CP, Pasick R. Recruiting men for health research via women callers to a telephone health service: An exploratory study. Ethnicity and Health. 2007.12 (5) 497-519