Research

CDC engages in research to define, confirm, and evaluate evidence-based interventions for cancer prevention and control. Our research is guided by NCCCP’s priorities, and results guide the adoption and implementation of interventions in different populations at state, tribal, and territorial levels.

NCCCP research projects include—

Current Projects

• Looking at what doctors know and are comfortable telling their patients about the benefits of exercise. In cooperation with Case Western Reserve University, medical students in residency are asked about their knowledge and comfort level talking to patients about physical activity to lower their cancer risk.
• Measuring health behaviors among American Indians. This project collects health data from three American Indian tribes to look at their cancer risks.
• Surveying cancer control planners. This project looks at all NCCCP programs and determines whether they are using cancer control methods that are supported by science.
• Giving out materials created by CDC’s Inside Knowledge campaign. Six NCCCP programs distribute Inside Knowledge: Get the Facts About Gynecologic Cancer materials like fact sheets and public service announcements. This study measures how well they share information about gynecologic cancer with the public.
• Helping to reduce cancer health disparities in Appalachia. NCCCP programs are working with the Appalachian Regional Commission to create training materials for patient navigators that address the unique culture of the region.

Completed Projects

• Comparing the effectiveness of different ways of helping smokers quit. 24 NCCCP programs compared telephone quitlines with Web-based support services to find out which worked best to help smokers quit.
• Caring for ovarian cancer survivors. This project looks at which patients received appropriate care to extend their lives after an ovarian cancer diagnosis.
• Measuring health behaviors and quality of life among cancer survivors. Several projects examine smoking, obesity, physical activity, and cancer screening behaviors among people diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Many studies use a special set of questions added to CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey.
• Updating cancer control plans. The NCCCP reviews and publishes updates from cancer control plans around the country, and published updates about tobacco, radon, and gynecologic cancer.