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 tells real stories about prevention, risk, family history, and survivorship as a way to inspire young women to learn their risk of breast cancer and talk with their doctor about how to reduce it.

Another CDC campaign, Inside Knowledge About Gynecologic Cancer, raises awareness among women and medical professionals about the five main types of gynecologic cancer: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar. While these cancers are often discussed as a group, 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 50 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 50 to 75. Despite strong evidence to support this recommendation, only 69% of adults reported being up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening in 2018.

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 50 to 75 by:

• Using recommendationsexternal icon from the Community Preventive Services Task Force, such as patient and provider reminders in health system clinics.
• Providing screening and follow-up services for a limited number of eligible people.

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.

Two screening tests can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early. The Pap test can find abnormal cells in the cervix that may turn into cancer, while 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, 6 US territories, and 13 tribes or tribal organizations to provide breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to low-income women who have little or no health insurance. These services include mammograms, breast MRI, 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 access to treatment through Medicaid.

Comprehensive cancer control involves state and local health departments, state and local 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 Associated Pacific Islands, Puerto Rico, and 8 tribes or tribal organizations to:

• Build groups of partners who are willing to 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 with health disparities.
• Respond to the needs of cancer survivors and their families, especially their physical, financial, and emotional well-being.

CDC is helping to apply 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. To meet this goal, CDC’s Cancer Genomics Program funds five state health departments to:

• Educate the public about the importance of knowing your family history of cancer.
• Help medical providers talk with their patients about family history.
• Use data from cancer registries, state surveys, and other sources to learn more about hereditary cancers.
• Increase access to and use of clinical services, like genetic counseling and testing, for people at high risk.
• Develop partnerships with health systems and state and local organizations to address the needs of people at high risk.