Several approaches are applied to identify risk of developing cancer in different ethnic and racial groups. One of the approaches is epigenetics that facilitates cancer control throughout the cancer core continuum. To understand current progress and trends in the inclusion of epigenetics in cancer epidemiology, we evaluated the published literature and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) supported research grant awards in this field to identify trends in epigenetics research. We present a summary of the epidemiological studies in NCI‟s grant portfolio and in the scientific literature published irrespective of support from NCI. Biomarkers identified in the analysis might be useful in risk prediction of different cancers. Breast cancer was the most frequently studied cancer type in grants and publications. Blood cells and tumor tissue were the most commonly used biospecimens in these studies, although buccal cells, cervical cells, sputum, and stool samples also were used. DNA methylation profiling was the focus of the majority of studies, but several studies also measured microRNA profiles. We illustrate here the current status of epidemiologic studies that are evaluating epigenetic changes in large populations. Some research needs include developing improved strategies for epigenetic data analysis and interpretation; determining the stability of epigenetic marks in repeated biospecimen samples from the same people over time; and studies that examine the relationship between epigenetic marks in germline DNA and tumor DNA. While there are limitations to the broad application of epigenomics to epidemiology research, there are situations where this type of research is appropriate and it should be considered. Furthermore, approval of five epigenetic drugs for cancer treatment raised our hope of treating cancer with these drugs either using alone or in combination with conventional anticancer drugs. The current status of ongoing clinical trial will be discussed.