Cancer News

February Featured Scientist: Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH
Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH is the Director of CDC's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. He is responsible for providing leadership and direction for all scientific, policy, and programmatic issues related to four national programs, and oversees a well-developed research agenda that includes the national Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network.

New Podcasts
Steps You Can Take to Prevent Cancer (2:00) discusses the main steps people can take to reduce their risk of getting cancer.

The Global Cancer Burden (3:23) describes and efforts by CDC and others to reduce the global burden of cancer.

Caregivers for Cancer Patients and Survivors
People who have cancer often live at home, and get help from informal caregivers—people who help them without being paid. Informal caregivers are usually the cancer patient's spouse, family members, friends, or neighbors. Researchers are studying what informal caregivers do and the problems and benefits of caregiving, so they can suggest ways in which caregivers can be supported.

NPCR Success Stories
Cancer registries are constantly looking for ways to improve the completeness, timeliness, and accuracy of their data, and to use their high-quality data to improve public health. Registries across the country share examples of innovative ways in which they have collaborated to reduce the burden of cancer in the face of dwindling resources.

Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients Web Site
People receiving chemotherapy are at risk for developing an infection when their white blood cell count is low. White blood cells are the body's main defense against infection. This condition, called neutropenia, is common after receiving chemotherapy. For patients with this condition, any infection can become serious quickly.