Division of Cancer Prevention and Control At A Glance

To help Americans prevent cancer and catch it early, we need to know what cancers are being diagnosed, among which groups of people, and where. DCPC runs the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) and coordinates with other federal agencies to collect data for notifiable cancer cases in the United States. Through the NPCR, CDC funds 46 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the US Pacific Island Jurisdictions, and the US Virgin Islands to collect cancer registry data.

These data can be used to answer questions such as:

• Are more or fewer people getting colon cancer this year compared to last year?
• Are there geographic areas where women are finding out they have breast cancer at a late stage, when it’s harder to treat?
• What groups of people are most likely to get skin cancer?

Data are shared with groups working to prevent cancer, like state comprehensive cancer control coalitions. The coalitions work to fix any identified problems—for example, some people might not be getting the cancer screening tests they need—and then track changes in the cancer registry data to find out if their solutions are working.

In 2015, CDC launched the Bring Your Brave campaign to educate women younger than age 45 about breast cancer. The campaign shares real stories about prevention, risk, family history, and cancer survivors to inspire young women to learn their risk of breast cancer and talk with their doctor about how to reduce it.

CDC’s Inside Knowledge About Gynecologic Cancer campaign raises awareness among women and medical professionals about the five main types of gynecologic cancer: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar. These cancers are often discussed as a group, but each is unique and has different signs, symptoms, risk factors, and prevention strategies.

In 1999, CDC launched the Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign to raise awareness of and increase screening for colorectal cancer. This ongoing campaign is based on extensive research that found that men and women aged 45 or older are at highest risk of getting colorectal cancer.

Of cancers affecting both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States, but it doesn’t have to be. Screening can find precancerous polyps—abnormal growths in the colon or rectum—so they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure.

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends colorectal cancer screening for adults aged 45 to 75.

CDC’s Colorectal Cancer Control Program funds 20 states, 8 universities, 2 tribal organizations, and 5 other organizations to increase colorectal cancer screening rates for people aged 45 to 75. To meet this goal, the program uses strategies recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force, such as patient and provider reminders in health system clinics.

Regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying of breast cancer. The USPSTF recommends that women aged 50 to 74 who are at average risk should have a screening mammogram every 2 years. Average risk means women without symptoms who do not have a preexisting breast cancer, high-risk breast lesion, a known genetic mutation, or a history of chest radiation at a young age.

For cervical cancer, two screening tests can help prevent the disease or find it early. The Pap test can find abnormal cells in the cervix that may turn into cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) test identifies the virus that can cause these abnormal cell changes. The Pap test is recommended for women aged 21 to 65. The HPV test, either with the Pap test or alone, can be used to screen for cervical cancer in women aged 30 to 65.

CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) funds all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, 5 US-Affiliated Pacific Islands, and 13 tribes or tribal organizations to provide breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to women with low incomes and little or no health insurance. These services include mammograms, breast MRIs, Pap tests, and HPV tests; follow-up testing if results are abnormal; and referrals to treatment if needed.

Women who are diagnosed with cancer through the NBCCEDP may qualify for treatment through Medicaid.

Examples of Our Impact

Comprehensive cancer control involves state and local health departments, organizations, researchers, health care providers, cancer survivors, and their families coming together to find ways to reduce cancer and improve the lives of cancer survivors in their communities. CDC’s National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program funds all 50 states, the District of Columbia, 7 US territories and freely associated states, and 8 tribes or tribal organizations to:

• Build groups of partners that share resources and expertise to fight cancer.
• Use data from cancer registries, behavioral risk factor surveys, and other sources to learn more about the cancers and risk factors that affect their communities most.
• Develop and use strategic plans to address these cancers and risk factors.
• Support lifestyle changes to prevent cancer.
• Improve access to screening and treatment.
• Reduce cancer risk factors and improve cancer outcomes for groups affected by health disparities.
• Respond to the physical, financial, and emotional needs of cancer survivors and their families.

Examples of Our Impact

CDC is applying the science of genomics—the study of genes and their function in the body—to cancer screening and prevention. People with a family history of cancer need to understand their risk because they may need to be screened earlier and more often. Genetic counseling and testing may help provide this information.

CDC implements programs and conducts research with the goal of improving access to cancer genetic services and decreasing health disparities in the use of these services. For example, CDC’s Cancer Genomics Program has been one of the few programs integrating genomics into public health practice. CDC has funded several state health departments to conduct demonstration programs that have:

• Developed best practices for working with state cancer registries to assess the number of people with hereditary cancer syndromes.
• Identified racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities in access to and use of cancer genetic services.
• Developed educational materials to teach primary care providers on family history screening and the need for referral to genetic counseling.
• Initiated community-based events to educate families at high risk about cancer prevention and control practices.
• Developed partnerships with health systems to apply best practices in family history screening and referral to cancer genetic services.

The Challenge

Despite the availability of screening tests, deaths from breast and cervical cancer occur more often among women who are uninsured or underinsured.

CDC’s Approach

NBCCEDP helps women with low incomes and little or no health insurance get timely breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic, and treatment services. The program also offers patient navigation to help women overcome barriers to getting quality care.

Over its 30-year history, NBCCEDP has reached nearly 6.0 million women across the United States. The screenings offered through this program have found more than 74,891 breast cancers and 5,066 cervical cancers that might not have been found.