Success Stories
Comprehensive cancer control programs are working in communities across the nation to promote healthy lifestyles, support recommended cancer screenings, educate people about cancer symptoms, increase access to quality cancer care, and enhance cancer survivors’ quality of life. These stories illustrate the strength of comprehensive cancer control and highlight some of the extraordinary work NCCCP-funded programs have done in collaboration with their community partners. We hope they inspire readers and spark new ideas to continue the mission of CDC’s National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program.
American Indians and Alaska Natives are at increased risk of cancer from commercial tobacco. The Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board worked with the Great Plains Area Indian Health Service to improve tobacco intervention skills among health care professionals.
The Arkansas Cancer Coalition and the Community Action Program of Central Arkansas created the Head Start Tobacco Education and Cessation Initiative to educate Head Start families about the harmful effects of tobacco use.
In 2016, SelfMade Health Network created a pilot program to educate college-aged women in Washington, DC. The program was based on CDC’s Inside Knowledge: Get the Facts about Gynecologic Cancer educational campaign about the warning signs of gynecologic cancer.
A collaboration was formed with two local tribes, a clinic, the state’s CDC-funded Quitline and Michigan’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Program to develop a tobacco use screening, education, and referral program for youth ages 12-18. As of September 2015, 307 Native American youth were screened and educated about the dangers of tobacco use and, when necessary, referred to clinicians for help with quitting.
The 4,500 members of the Fond du Lac Reservation in Minnesota have reduced exposure to commercial tobacco products on some parts of the reservation thanks to new tribal policies that restrict its use in or near tribal buildings. This effort, led by the American Indian Cancer Foundation and three tribal health champions, educated Ojibwe tribal members about the danger of smoking commercial tobacco.
The Schenectady County Public Health Services (SCPHS) educated county government decision-makers about the potential benefits of increasing access to recommended cancer screenings. Effective January 2015, a resolution granted Schenectady County municipal employees an additional four hours of paid leave per year to undergo any type of cancer screening.
Burleigh County installed a treadmill desk for sedentary employees without access to its wellness program. Their average number of steps increased from 1,634 steps per shift at baseline to 7,190 steps 1 year after the pilot ended.
In 2015, the Arkansas Cancer Coalition (ACC) worked with state fair officials to develop a policy to prohibit tobacco use during the fair in an effort to protect patrons. Fairgrounds are now tobacco-and nicotine-free environments all year.
In June 2017, Lake Charles City Council successfully implemented Complete Streets, an initiative that increases access to places for physical activity by using multiple strategies to make a community more walkable or bikeable. Lake Charles now has 6 miles of bike paths and plans to add pedestrian-friendly crosswalks and sidewalks.
The South Dakota Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (SDCCCP) and the South Dakota WorkWell Partnership worked with the City of Huron and Rapid City Aquatics to implement a program to provide sun safety education and resources to 450 employees. In 2017, the program expanded to include all outdoor staff of the City of Britton.
Since 2010, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) promoted a media campaign through tailored messaging. Now in its sixth year, “The Cancer You Can Prevent” campaign focuses on increasing colorectal cancer screening in African American, Native American, and Latino communities. Findings indicate that these communities are more receptive to CRC screening messages delivered by someone they know and trust.
More examples of comprehensive cancer control in action.
Page last reviewed: March 15, 2019