Host Susceptibility Factors Branch (HSFB)

The Host Susceptibility Factors Branch (HSFB) focuses on factors that influence personal susceptibility to cancer, such as genetic, epigenetic, immunological, and hormonal biological pathways; and social, cultural, and race/ethnic factors.

HSFB's mission is to plan, develop, direct, coordinate, and evaluate:

• A comprehensive program of epidemiologic research in the etiology of cancer in human populations related to host (i.e., personal) susceptibility factors such as genetic, epigenetic, immunological and hormonal biological pathways; and social, cultural, and race/ethnicity factors;
• A program of epidemiologic research to study differences in cancer susceptibility and risk in individuals and populations and the multiple environmental and genetic factors that jointly contribute to cancer, with the ultimate goal of elucidating the etiology of cancer;
• A program of extramural epidemiologic research to evaluate the association of and magnitude of cancer risk associated with biomarkers of host susceptibility such as physiological status or function; and
• Research resources, infrastructures, and consortia with a focus on personal susceptibility factors to facilitate and maximize the scientific potential of cancer epidemiology research.

Its mission also is to disseminate findings from the research supported by the Branch to the public, health care professionals, scientists engaged in cancer control, and the public health community.