Colditz Honored for Contributions to Breast Cancer Research

Susan G. Komen recognizes Washington University expert’s ‘pivotal advances’ in population science

Graham A. Colditz, MD, DrPH, the Niess-Gain Professor of Surgery and director of the Public Health Sciences Division in the Department of Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been awarded the Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction in Population Science.

Given annually, the Brinker Awards are among the highest honors bestowed by Susan G. Komen, a nonprofit organization that funds breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment. Honorees are recognized for their contributions to basic science, clinical research and, for the first time in 2024, population science.

Colditz, who is also deputy director of the Institute for Public Health at Washington University and associate director of prevention and control at Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the School of Medicine, accepted the inaugural award Dec. 11. He and the four other Brinker Award recipients were recognized during the San Antonio (Texas) Breast Cancer Symposium.

Susan G. Komen recognized Colditz for his “pivotal advances in implementation science, health services research, epidemiology, and evidence-based interventions to enhance breast cancer outcomes.”

“This year’s honorees are leading critical advancements needed for breast cancer prevention and treatment,” said Jennifer A. Pietenpol, PhD, Komen’s co-chief scientific adviser. “Their dedication to understanding the biological complexities of breast cancer and their commitment to translating discoveries into cancer prevention and patient care set them apart in the field. We are proud to honor their profound contributions with Komen’s highest awards.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., with more than 313,000 new cases expected this year. Colditz’s body of work has improved the understanding of breast cancer causes and development. He has contributed to reductions in health disparities and inspired generations to make healthy lifestyle changes that may reduce their risk of cancer, according to Susan G. Komen.

“It is an honor to be recognized by such a prestigious organization founded to end breast cancer as a life-threatening disease,” Colditz said. “We are aligned in our efforts to positively impact the health of women, families and communities.

Colditz’s innovative discoveries have helped individuals worldwide understand their chances of getting breast cancer and the steps they can take to lower their risk of developing the disease. He has led some of the largest studies to uncover underlying genetic and lifestyle risk factors associated with breast cancer to create personalized risk assessment tools that are widely used by clinicians and the public to improve screening and prevention strategies. These tools and related content include Your Disease Risk and 8IGHTWAYS® to Prevent Breast Cancer.