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Prevention, Cancer Screening, and Early Diagnosis
Prevention, screening, and other strategies for early detection can reduce the burden of cancer. Cancer can be prevented through lifestyle changes that decrease risk and vaccines for cancer-causing infections. Cancer screening and early diagnosis of symptomatic disease can identify cancers at early stages when they are more easily treated. HDRP funds research to improve health care delivery practices that support evidence-based cancer prevention, screen detection, and early diagnosis.
Prevention: Vaccination
HPV vaccination offers protection against the human papillomavirus—a common virus with the potential to lead to various cancers. HDRP engages in a tapestry of research initiatives to promote HPV vaccination, recognizing its profound impact in reducing the burden of cervical cancer and other associated malignancies.
Cancer Moonshot℠ Efforts: Federal Cervical Cancer Collaborative (FCCC)
Drawing inspiration from the Cancer Moonshot℠ initiative, the FCCC has been established as a comprehensive, multi-agency, multi-year federal partnership. The overarching mission is to address and reduce existing disparities in cervical cancer care by expediting the adoption and integration of innovative approaches for cervical cancer prevention, screening, and treatment.
Contacts:
Sarah Kobrin, PhD, MPH;
Veronica Chollette, RN, MS
Health Systems and Interventions Research Branch
HPV Vaccination Uptake
Contacts:
Sarah Kobrin, PhD, MPH;
Veronica Chollette, RN, MS
Health Systems and Interventions Research Branch
Cancer Screening
HDRP studies and funds research on efforts to examine and improve the delivery of cancer screening services. Screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer are of most interest.
Population-based Research to Optimize the Screening Process (PROSPR)
The goal of PROSPR is to better understand how to improve the cancer screening process in community healthcare settings in the United States.
Contacts:
Paul Doria-Rose, DVM, PhD;
Pam Marcus, PhD, MS, ELS
Healthcare Assessment Research Branch
PROSPR DataShare
PROSPR DataShare, or PDS, allows individuals who are not part of the PROSPR initiative, known as external researchers, to request certain data from the PROSPR 1 and PROSPR 2 initiatives. PDS also allows external researchers to propose ancillary studies.
Contacts:
Paul Doria-Rose, DVM, PhD;
Pam Marcus, PhD, MS, ELS
Healthcare Assessment Research Branch
Accelerating Colorectal Cancer Screening and follow-up through Implementation Science (ACCSIS)
ACCSIS is improving colorectal cancer screening, follow-up, and referral for care among populations that have low colorectal cancer screening rates. It focuses on underserved groups, including racial and ethnic minority populations and people living in rural or difficult-to-reach areas.
Contacts:
Sarah Kobrin, PhD, MPH
Health Systems and Interventions Research Branch
National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Cancer Control Supplement (CCS) (Cancer Screening component)
The NHIS is a continuous, nationwide in-person survey of the civilian non-institutionalized population. NCI sponsors an annual CCS to the NHIS which focuses on issues pertaining to knowledge, attitudes, and practices of cancer-related health behaviors, screening, and risk assessment.
Contacts:
Jennifer Croswell, MD, MPH
Healthcare Assessment Research Branch
Early Diagnosis
Early diagnosis is an emerging area of interest within HDRP. Given that less than half of all cancers in the United States are detected through screening – and that many cancers are detected after patients present with signs or symptoms of their cancer – early diagnosis plays an important role in improving prognosis.