Cancer Prevention Works: Supporting Prevention at All Levels

Taking a Closer Look at Cancers Associated with Tobacco Use A comprehensive study of cancers associated with tobacco use was recently published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and about 480,000 deaths per year are caused by cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. This report provides cancer incidence rates for each of the 12 cancer types known to be linked with tobacco use. These include acute myeloid leukemia (AML); cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx; esophagus; stomach; colon and rectum; liver; pancreas; larynx; lung, bronchus, and trachea; kidney and renal pelvis; urinary bladder; and cervix. In the United States, about 3.3 million new tobacco-associated cancer cases were reported during 2010-2014, which is approximately 667,000 per year. Among the cancer types linked to tobacco use, lung cancer counted for about one-third of the diagnoses. The rate of all tobacco-associated cancers combined decreased 1.2% per year during 2010-2014. However, cancer incidence remains high in several states and subgroups, including men, whites, blacks, non-Hispanics, and people living in nonmetropolitan areas. Read More

New Publication Series on Colorectal Cancer Programs A new series of publications on the economic evaluation of CDC’s Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) were recently published in the journal CANCER. The CRCCP supports 23 state health departments, 6 universities, and one American Indian Tribe to increase colorectal cancer screening among men and women aged 50 to 75 years. The series includes six publications that highlight how well the interventions worked, the cost-effectiveness, and lessons learned from implementing the interventions. Check out the publication series. Identifying optimal approaches to implement colorectal cancer screening through participation in a learning laboratory Effectiveness and cost of multilayered colorectal cancer screening promotion interventions at federally qualified health centers in Washington. Economic assessment of patient navigation to colonoscopy-based colorectal cancer screening in the real-world setting at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Colorectal cancer screening interventions in 2 health care systems serving disadvantaged populations: Screening uptake and cost-effectiveness Evaluation of patient-focused interventions to promote colorectal cancer screening among New York state Medicaid managed care patients. A conceptual framework and metrics for evaluating multicomponent interventions to increase colorectal cancer screening within an organized screening program. Find the latest information on CRCCP. Read More Shade: A Critical Part of Community Skin Cancer Prevention Efforts Communities can play an important role in skin cancer prevention in many ways, one of which is by increasing the availability of shade in outdoor settings. Whether natural (trees) or manmade (tents, umbrellas), shade makes it easier for people to stay sun-safe while spending time outdoors. In addition to providing UV protection which can help prevent sunburn and reduce skin cancer risk, shade has many other benefits, including energy conservation, reduced heat island effect (in urban areas), and the creation of outdoor spaces that are more comfortable for those engaged in physical activity. A new publication, led by CDC staff and published in the American Journal of Public Health, provides an overview of the literature on shade design, shade use behaviors, and shade policies. This publication brings attention to the value of integrating shade planning into community design and the importance of taking a multi-disciplinary approach to skin cancer prevention. Read More Spreading the Word About Hepatitis C and Liver Cancer New resources are getting the word out about the link between Hepatitis C and liver cancer. Among American Indian/Alaska Native populations, liver cancer incidence and death rates are increasing. Chronic Hepatitis C infection often leads to liver cancer but there is an effective treatment to cure Hepatitis C. The Association of American Indian Physicians recently produced CDC-funded public service announcements (PSAs) to increase awareness in these communities. The culturally-specific PSAs focus on the importance of getting tested and treated for Hepatitis C infection to lower the risk for developing liver cancer. Take a look at the videos. View Videos New Patient-Friendly Resources in Spanish Help Cancer Patients Prevent Infections Going through chemotherapy treatment is tough, but when you can’t get critical information in a language you understand, the challenges become much greater. One in three Hispanic men and women are diagnosed with cancer each year, yet there are few Spanish-language resources available. A new Spanish-language website, 3 Pasos Para Prevenir infecciones durante el tratamiento del cáncer, (3 Steps to Preventing Infections During Cancer Treatment) was created as part of the Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients (PICP) program. PICP is an evidence-based program designed to educate patients about the increased risk of infection during chemotherapy. Since 2009, the program has been led by CDC and the CDC Foundation, with support from Amgen. Dr. Lisa Richardson, Director of CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, explains, “An infection during chemotherapy can become serious quickly and is potentially life-threatening. This is why it is important that every cancer patient have access to information they can easily understand during their cancer journey.” Check out the new site and resources.  Read More New Blog Post Shares Hope for Less Lung Cancer Take a look at our recent blog post for Lung Cancer Awareness month, “There Is Hope for a Future with Less Lung Cancer." The post brings awareness to the overwhelming facts about men and women affected by lung cancer but also shares a message of hope. In support of this message, the progress being made in lung cancer prevention is highlighted, including a decrease in lung cancer death rates, early detection and more treatment options, and actions you can take to lower your risk of lung cancer. Resources with more information on the types of lung cancer, prevention, and screening are provided throughout the post.

Upcoming Events Free Webinar: "A Report from the National Navigation Roundtable: The State of Patient Navigation Today," provided by the Alliance to Advance Patient Centered Cancer Care.  Date: December 14, 2018. 2:00PM - 3:00PM EST Pre-register by December 10, 2018. Presenter: Monica Dean, director of the National Navigation Roundtable at the American Cancer Society Features a panel discussion with experts on cancer patient navigation.  Did You Know? The number of adults aged 50 to 75 years who were up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening increased from 66.2% in 2014 to 67.3% in 2016. This shows an additional 3.3 million adults screened for colorectal cancer.