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Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, Ph.D, R.D.

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Bio Statement

 Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, Ph.D., R.D., is a tenured professor in the Department of Behavioral Science who recently joined The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in the Fall of 2007, after holding a dual professorship of surgery and nursing at Duke University Medical Center for almost two decades. 

Dr. Demark-Wahnefried is a nutrition scientist with training in biochemistry, genetics and behavioral science. Her research career has spanned basic science studies focused on determining mechanisms of action of food-related components on neoplastic progression, to clinical research that involves nutrition-related concerns of cancer patients, as well as determining effective lifestyle interventions that improve the overall health of cancer survivors and their families. Her laboratory has conducted some of the largest studies exploring metabolic and body composition changes in response to cancer treatment, and also has developed and tested lifestyle interventions that respond to these needs and improve overall health. 

In 2003, she was named Komen Professor of Survivorship for her work in energy balance and breast cancer. An area of research in which Dr. Demark-Wahnefried has experienced particular success,is the delivery of home-based lifestyle interventions among cancer survivors and their families, where she has led and continues to lead several  National Institutes of Health-funded trials aimed at improving the diet and exercise behaviors, as well as testing the effect of functional foods on carcinogenesis and cancer promotion.

Dr. Demark-Wahnefried has published well-over 100 peer-reviewed articles in journals such as Journal of Clinical Oncology, Journal of the American Medical Association and Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention. She has also published a number of invited papers and book reviews, editorials, abstracts and book chapters, and white papers that have been included in the Institute of Medicine’s documents on cancer survivorship. She has held membership on many editorial and review boards, including the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the NIH Epidemiology and Population Sciences Special Emphasis Panel, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture/National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program. She also serves on national and international boards, such as Lancet Oncology’s International Advisory Board and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the Australian Think Tank on Breast Cancer, the American Cancer Society’s Advisory Panel on Diet and Exercise and the American College of Sport’s Medicine’s Board on Cancer Survivorship.

Research Interests

Diet/hormonal and genetic interactions and their association with neoplasia.

Associations between anthropometric factors and cancer risk and progression.

Metabolic disturbances related to cancer and its treatment

Dietary modification and functional foods and their effects on neoplasia

Lifestyle interventions that cancer survivors and their social/familiar networks

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1988 Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, PHD, Nutritional Science
1980 Texas Woman's University (Thesis through Baylor College of Medicine), Houston, TX, MS, Nutrition/Clinical Internship
1978 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, BS, Nutritional Science/Chemistry

Experience/Service

Academic Appointments

Adjunct Full Professor, Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC, 2007-present
Adjunct Full Professor, Department of Health Behavior and Education, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 2004-present

Honors and Awards

2006 Ross Award in Women's Health, American Dietetic Association Foundation
2004 Excellence in Practice Award: American Dietetic Association - Nutrition in Complementary Care Dietetic Practice Group
2003 Susan G. Komen Professor of Cancer Survivorship
2000 Idea Award, NCI, ACS, CDC & Cooper Institute Conference on Physical Activity and Diet
1994-2000 Preventive Oncology Academic Award, National Cancer Institute
1983 Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year, The American Dietetic Association

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Demark-Wahnefried W., Morey MC, Sloane R, Snyder DC, Cohen HJ. Promoting Healthy Lifestyles Among Older Cancer Survivors to Improve Health and Preserve Function. J Am Gerontol Assoc. In Press.
2. Pan A, Demark-Wahnefried W, Ye X, Yu Z, Li H, Qi Q, Sun J, Chen Y, Chen X, Liu Y, Lin X. Effects of a flaxseed-derived lignan supplement on C-reactive protein, IL-6 and retinol-binding protein 4 in type 2 diabetic patients. Brit J Nutr 101:1145-1149, 2009.
3. Chen L-H, Fang J, Sun Z, Li H, Demark-Wahnefried W, Lin X. Enterolactone inhibits insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor signaling in human prostatic carcinoma PC-3 cells. Journal of Nutrition 139:653-9, 2009.
4. Morey MC, Sloane R, Pieper CF, Peterson MJ, Pearson MP, Ekelund CC, Crowley GM, Demark-Wahnefried W, Snyder DC, Clipp EC, Cohen HJ. Effect of physical activity guidelines on physical function in older adults. J Am Geriatrics Soc 56:1873-8, 2008.
5. Demark-Wahnefried W, Polascik TJ, George SL, Switzer BR, Madden JF, Ruffin MT 4th, Snyder DC, Owzar K, Hars V, Albala DM, Walther PJ, Robertson CN, Moul JW, Dunn BK, Brenner D, Minasian L, Stella P, Vollmer RT. Flaxseed supplementation (not dietary fat restriction) reduces prostate cancer proliferation rates in men presurgery. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 17(12):3577-87, 2008.
6. Demark-Wahnefried W, George SL, Switzer BR, Snyder DC, Madden JF, Polascik TJ, Ruffin MT, Vollmer RT. Overcoming challenges in designing and implementing a phase II randomized controlled trial using a presurgical model to test a dietary intervention in prostate cancer. Clin Trials 5(3):262-72, Jan-Feb, 2008. PMID: 18559416.
7. Demark-Wahnefried W, Jones LW. Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle Among Cancer Survivors. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 22(2):319-42, 2008. PMID: 18395153.
8. Snyder DC, Morey M, Stull V, Sloane R, Cohen HJ, Peterson B, Pieper CF, Hartman TJ, Miller PE, Mitchell DC, Demark-Wahnefried W. Reach Out to Enhance Wellness in Older Cancer Survivors (RENEW): Design, Methods and Recruitment Challenges of a Home-based Exercise and Diet Intervention to Improve Physical Function among Long-term Survivors of Breast, Prostate, and Colorectal Cancer. Psychooncol, 2008.
9. Demark-Wahnefried W, Case LD, Blackwell K, Marcom PK, Kraus W, Aziz N, Snyder DC, Giguere JK, Shaw E. Results of a diet/exercise feasibility trial to prevent adverse body composition change in breast cancer patients on adjuvant chemotherapy. Clin Breast Cancer 8(1):70-9, 2008. PMID: 18501061.
10. Stull VB, Snyder DC, Demark-Wahnefried W. Lifestyle interventions in cancer survivors: designing programs that meet the needs of this vulnerable and growing population. J Nutr 137(1 Suppl):243S-248S, Nov-Dec, 2007. PMID: 17182834.
11. Demark-Wahnefried W, Clipp EC, Lipkus IM, Lobach D, Snyder DC, Sloane R, Peterson B, Macri JM, Rock CL, McBride CM, Kraus WE. Main outcomes of the FRESH START trial: a sequentially tailored, diet and exercise mailed print intervention among breast and prostate cancer survivors. J Clin Oncol 25(19):2709-18, Jan-Feb, 2007. PMID: 17602076.
12. Seewaldt VL, Goldenberg V, Jones LW, Peace C, Broadwater G, Scott V, Bean GR, Wilke LG, Zalles CM, Demark-Wahnefried W. Overweight and obese perimenopausal and postmenopausal women exhibit increased abnormal mammary epithelial cytology. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 16(3):613-6, Jan-Feb, 2007. PMID: 17372261.
13. Demark-Wahnefried W. Print-to-practice: designing tailored print materials to improve cancer survivors' dietary and exercise practices in the FRESH START trial. Nutr Today 42:131-138, 2007.
14. Jones LW, Demark-Wahnefried W. Diet, exercise, and complementary therapies after primary treatment for cancer. Lancet Oncol 7(12):1017-26, Nov-Dec, 2006. PMID: 17138223.
15. Demark-Wahnefried W, Clipp EC, Morey MC, Pieper CF, Sloane R, Snyder DC, Cohen HJ. Lifestyle intervention development study to improve physical function in older adults with cancer: outcomes from Project LEAD. J Clin Oncol 24(21):3465-73, Nov-Dec, 2006. PMID: 16849763.
16. Doyle C, Kushi LH, Byers T, Courneya KS, Demark-Wahnefried W, Grant B, McTiernan A, Rock CL, Thompson C, Gansler T, Andrews KS, Andrews KS, Andrews KS. Nutrition and physical activity during and after cancer treatment: an American Cancer Society guide for informed choices. CA Cancer J Clin 56(5):323-353, Nov-Dec, 2006. PMID: 14570227.
17. Rosoff PM, Werner C, Clipp EC, Guill AB, Bonner M, Demark-Wahnefried W. Response rates to a mailed survey targeting childhood cancer survivors: a comparison of conditional versus unconditional incentives. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 14(5):1330-1332, 2005. PMID: 15894697.
18. Demark-Wahnefried W, Aziz NM, Rowland JH, Pinto BM. Riding the crest of the teachable moment: promoting long-term health after the diagnosis of cancer. J Clin Oncol 23(24):5814-5830, 2005. PMID: 16043830.
19. Demark-Wahnefried W, Werner C, Clipp EC, Guill AB, Bonner M, Jones LW, Rosoff PM. Survivors of childhood cancer and their guardians. Cancer 103(10):2171-80, 2005. PMID: 15812823.
20. Affenito S, Lambert-Lagace L, Kerstetter J, Demark-Wahnefried W. Nutrition and women's health: position of the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada. Can J Diet Pract Res 65(2):85-89, Sep-Oct, 2004. PMID: 15217527.
21. Demark-Wahnefried W, Robertson CN, Walther PJ, Polascik TJ, Paulson DF, Vollmer RT. Pilot study to explore effects of low-fat, flaxseed-supplemented diet on proliferation of benign prostatic epithelium and prostate-specific antigen. Urol 63(5):900-4, Sep-Oct, 2004. PMID: 15134976.
22. Demark-Wahnefried W, Clipp EC, McBride C, Lobach DF, Lipkus I, Peterson B, Clutter Snyder D, Sloane R, Arbanas J, Kraus WE. Design of FRESH START: a randomized trial of exercise and diet among cancer survivors. Med Sci Sports Exerc 35(3):415-424, Nov-Dec, 2003. PMID: 12618570.
23. Demark-Wahnefried W, Morey MC, Clipp EC, Pieper CF, Snyder DC, Sloane R, Cohen HJ. Leading the Way in Exercise and Diet (Project LEAD): intervening to improve function among older breast and prostate cancer survivors. Contr Clin Trials 24(2):206-223, Nov-Dec, 2003. PMID: 12689742.
24. Rock CL, Demark-Wahnefried W. Can lifestyle modification increase survival in women diagnosed with breast cancer? J Nutr 132(S)(11 Suppl):3504S-3507S, Nov-Dec, 2002. PMID: 12421877.
25. Lin X, Gingrich JR, Bao W, Li J, Haroon ZA, Demark-Wahnefried W. Effect of flaxseed supplementation on prostatic carcinoma in transgenic mice. Urol 60(5):919-24, Nov-Dec, 2002. PMID: 12429338.
26. Demark-Wahnefried W, Kenyon AJ, Eberle P, Skye A, Kraus WE. Preventing sarcopenic obesity among breast cancer patients who receive adjuvant chemotherapy: results of a feasibility study. Clin Exerc Physiol 4(1):44-49, Nov-Dec, 2002. PMID: 16946801.
27. Demark-Wahnefried W, Peterson BL, Winer EP, Marks L, Aziz N, Marcom PK, Blackwell K, Rimer BK. Changes in weight, body composition and factors influencing energy balance among premenopausal breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol 19(9):2381-2389, Sep-Oct, 2001. PMID: 11331316.
28. Lin X, Switzer BR, Demark-Wahnefried W. Effect of mammalian lignans on the growth of prostate cancer cell lines. Anticancer Res 21(6A):3995-4000, Nov-Dec, 2001. PMID: 11911282.
29. Demark-Wahnefried W, Peterson B, McBride C, Lipkus I, Clipp E. Current health behaviors and readiness to pursue life-style changes among men and women diagnosed with early stage prostate and breast carcinomas. Cancer 88(3):674-84, 2000. PMID: 10649263.
30. Demark-Wahnefried W, Schildkraut JM, Thompson D, Lesko SM, McIntyre L, Schwingl P, Paulson DF, Robertson CN, Anderson EE, Walther PJ. Early onset baldness and prostate cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 9:325-328, 2000.
31. Demark-Wahnefried W, McClelland JW, Jackson B, Campbell MK, Cowan A, Hoben K, Rimer BK. Partnering with African American churches to achieve better health: lessons learned during the Black Churches United for Better Health 5 a day project. J Cancer Educ 15(3):164-7, Sep-Oct, 2000. PMID: 11019765.
32. Demark-Wahnefried W. Application of behavioral theory within diet-based clinical trials to improve outcome. Cancer Prev Int 3:191-198, 1999.
33. Schildkraut JM, Demark-Wahnefried W, DeVoto E, Hughes C, Laseter JL, Newman B. Environmental contaminants and body fat distribution. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 8(2):179-183, Sep-Oct, 1999. PMID: 10067817.
34. Campbell MK, Demark-Wahnefried W, Symons M, Kalsbeek WD, Dodds J, Cowan A, Jackson B, Motsinger B, Hoben K, Lashley J, Demissie S, McClelland JW. Fruit and vegetable consumption and prevention of cancer: the Black Churches United for Better Health project. Am J Public Health 89(9):1390-6, Sep-Oct, 1999. PMID: 10474558.
35. Demark-Wahnefried W, McClelland J, Campbell MK, Hoben K, Lashley J, Graves C, Motsinger B, Rimer BK. Awareness of cancer-related programs and services among rural African Americans. J Natl Med Assoc 90(4):197-202, Jan-Feb, 1998. PMID: 9581439.
36. Hoffman-Goetz L, Apter D, Demark-Wahnefried W, Goran MI, McTiernan A, Reichman ME. Possible mechanisms mediating an association between physical activity and breast cancer. Cancer 83(3 Suppl):621-628, Jan-Feb, 1998. PMID: 9690525.
37. Demark-Wahnefried W, Hars V, Conaway MR, Havlin K, Rimer BK, McElveen G, Winer EP. Reduced rates of metabolism and decreased physical activity in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Am J Clin Nutr 65(5):1495-1501, 1997. PMID: 9129482.
38. Demark-Wahnefried W, Lesko SM, Conaway MR, Robertson CN, Clark RV, Lobaugh B, Mathias BJ, Strigo TS, Paulson DF. Serum androgens: associations with prostate cancer risk and hair patterning. J Androl 18(5):495-500, Sep-Oct, 1997. PMID: 9349747.
39. Aldrich T, Demark-Wahnefried W, Schildkraut JM, Lengerich E, Conlísk E. The National Cancer Data Base report on prostate cancer. Cancer 75(1):136-8, 1995. PMID: 7804970.
40. Demark-Wahnefried W, Winer EP, Rimer BK. Why women gain weight with adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 11(7):1418-1429, 1993. PMID: 8315439.
41. Ripsin C, Keenan J, Jacobs D, Elmer P, Welch R, VanHorn L, Kiang I, Turnbull W, Thye F, Kestin W, Hegsted M, Davidson M, Dugan L, Demark-Wahnefried W, Beling O. Oat products and lipid-lowering: A meta-analysis. J Am Med Assoc 267:3317-3325, 1992.
42. Demark-Wahnefried W, Bowering J, Cohen PS. Reduced serum cholesterol with dietary change using fat-modified and oat bran supplemented diets. J Am Diet Assoc 90(2):223-229, 1990. PMID: 2154513.
43. Fultz N, Ruffin M, Snyder SC, Beck MJ, Boggs MA, Minasian L, Dunn B, Demark-Wahnefried W. Accruing Patients to a Phase II, Presurgical Dietary Intervention Trial: Pilot Study of Augmented Staffing in the CCOP Network. Nursing Research. Submitted.
44. Mavropoulos J, Buschemeyer WC, Tewari A, Rokhfeld D, Pollak M, Zhao Y, Febbo PG, Cohen P, Hwang D, Devi G, Demark-Wahnefried W, Westman E, Petersen B, Pizzo SV, Freedland SJ. Carbohydrate and fat restricted diets extend survivoral in a murine LNCaP prostate cancer xenograft model. Cancer Research. Submitted.

Invited Articles
1. Jones LW and Demark-Wahnefried W. Recommendations for healthy behaviors and wellness following primary treatment for cancer. Implementing Cancer Survivorship Care Planning. Washington, DC: National Academies Press:166-205, 2007.

Editorials
1. Demark-Wahnefried W. Move Onward, Press Forward and Take a Deep Breath..Can Lifestyle Interventions Improve Quality of Life of Women with Breast Cancer..and How Can We Be Sure? J Clin Oncol 25:4344-4345, 2007.
2. Demark-Wahnefried W. Cancer survival: time to get moving? Data accumulate suggesting a link between physical activity and cancer survival. J Clin Oncol 24(22):3517-8, Nov-Dec, 8/2006. PMID: 16822842.
3. Demark-Wahnefried W. Diet and the Prostate Cancer Survivor. Family Urol 9(3):4, 2004.

Abstracts
1. Demark-Wahnefried W, Paulson DF, Robertson CN, Anderson EE, Conaway M and Rimer, BK. Body dimension differences in men with and without prostate cancer. American Society for Preventive Oncology, Tucson, Arizona, March 20-22, 1993. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 1993.

Book Chapters
1. Demark-Wahnefried @. Changing Health Behavior After Treatment (Chapter 79). In: Psycho-Oncology, 2nd Edition. Ed(s) JC Holland. Oxford University Press: New York. In Press.
2. Demark-Wahnefried W and Aziz N. Health promotion and disease prevention among adult survivors. In: Handbook of Behavioral Science and Cancer. Ed(s) SM Miller, DJ Bowen, RT Croyle and J Rowland. American Psychological Association: Washington, DC, 487-494, 2008.
3. Rock CL, Demark-Wahnefried W. Nutrition and Cancers of the Breast, Endometrium and Ovary. In: Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease, 2nd Edition. Ed(s) AM Coulston. Elsevier Academic Press: Amsterdam, 635-658, 2008.
4. Demark-Wahnefried W. Energy Balance, Adiposity and Cancer. In: Cancer Prevention Curriculum Chapter 5. Ed(s) American Society of Clinical Oncology. ASCO: Alexandria, VA, 2007.
5. Rock CL, Demark-Wahnefried W. Nutrition and cancers of the breast, endometrium and ovary. In: Principles of Gender Specific Medicine. Ed(s) M Legato. Academic Press: San Diego, CA, 770-782, 2004.
6. Rock CL, Demark-Wahnefried W. Nutrition and Breast Cancer. In: Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease. Ed(s) AM Coulston, CL Rock, ER Monson. Academic Press: San Diego, CA, 337-355, 2001.
7. Rimer, B.K., Demark-Wahnefried W. and Egert J. Acceptance of Cancer Screening. In: Handbook of Health Behavior Research II. Ed(s) D.S. Gochman. Plenum Press: Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 285-302, 1996.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: Oncologist-Assisted Home Exercise Program For Advanced Colon Cancer Patients
Funding Source: NIH
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Basen-Engquist
Duration: 6/1/2009 - 5/31/2011
 
Title: Optimizing the Delivery of Lifestyle Interventions in Cancer Survivors
Funding Source: UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Role: Program Co-Director and Project Leader
Duration: 4/1/2009 - 3/31/2012
 
Title: Take Heart: Exercise & Diet Intervention for Heart Failure in Cancer Survivors
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Karen Basen-Engquist
Duration: 4/1/2009 - 3/31/2011
 
Title: Centers of Excellence in Cancer Communication Research II (CECCR II)
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Gustafson
Duration: 9/1/2008 - 8/31/2013
 
Title: Self-determination Theory and Lifestyle Behaviors in Barrett's Esophagus
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Badr
Duration: 7/1/2008 - 6/30/2010
 
Title: Using Message Framing to Promote Physical Activity in Colorectal Cancer Survivors
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Lipkus
Duration: 7/1/2008 - 6/30/2010
 
Title: Childhood Cancer Study
Funding Source: UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Division of Pediatrics
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Duration: 2/1/2008 - 1/31/2010
 
Title: DAMES (Daughters And MothErS) Against Breast Cancer
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 6/10/2007 - 5/31/2010
 
Title: RENEW: Reach-out to ENhancE Wellness in Older Survivors
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 7/1/2004 - 11/30/2013

Last updated: 9/23/2009