DCPC Works: Cancer News from CDC

NPCR Marks Anniversary with New Studies and Newly Available Data This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Cancer Registries Amendment Act, which established CDC’s National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR). NPCR has grown to support cancer registries in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Pacific Island jurisdictions, covering 96% of the United States population. In January, DCPC authors published two studies that used NPCR data— “Invasive Cancer Incidence and Survival—United States, 2013” highlights ways in which states use cancer registry data to advance public health, and gives incidence rates for common cancers. “Surveillance for Cancer Incidence and Mortality—United States, 2013” describes national cancer incidence and death rates for 68 cancer types among men and 72 among women, as well as rates and trends specific to each state. Together, the articles show how public health planners in states, territories, and tribes use NPCR data to measure progress and target action for cancer prevention and control. Along with the articles, CDC announced two new public use databases. For the first time, CDC released public use research NPCR databases with de-identified information on several million cancer cases from 2001 to 2013. Researchers and the interested public now have the opportunity to analyze these data to better understand cancer. The databases include cancer incidence and population data for 45 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Joan Lunden to Speak at CDC National Cancer Conference DCPC is excited to welcome Joan Lunden to the stage at the 2017 CDC National Cancer Conference this August. Ms. Lunden is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, motivational speaker, and women’s health and wellness advocate, as well as the longest-running female host ever on early morning television. In June of 2014, Ms. Lunden was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, which required chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. She blogged throughout her cancer treatment and wrote a memoir, which documents her battle and reflects on her life and career. She is also active in the cancer community through social media and advocates for patients on Capitol Hill. New Patient Navigation Manual Available DCPC and the New Hampshire Colorectal Cancer Screening Program developed a manual to help other states, territories, and tribal areas find the same success as New Hampshire did with their patient navigation program for colorectal cancer screening. Studies in the state found that patients who received patient navigation were 11 times more likely to complete their colonoscopies than patients who did not. Comprehensive Cancer Control Award Winner Named DCPC’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Branch has awarded Ann Partridge, MD, MPH its 2016 Carol Friedman Award in Comprehensive Cancer Control. Dr. Partridge is the founder and director of the Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer, and director of the Adult Survivorship Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Partridge will receive the award at the CDC National Cancer Conference in August. CDC Celebrates World Cancer Day On CDC’s Cancer blog, Lisa C. Richardson, MD, MPH, DCPC director and lead investigator of CDC’s Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients program, reflects on what CDC has done to help improve cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. She encourages everyone to continue to monitor progress, recognize areas that need improvement, and identify opportunities to work with each other to reduce the burden of cancer. New Resource on Cancer Prevention Physical activity reduces the risk of several cancers, including breast and colorectal cancer, and has been associated with improved outcomes and survival in cancer survivors. A new CDC publication on cancer prevention and physical activity provides information on physical activity in children, adults, and cancer survivors, along with strategies for increasing physical activity in the community. Cancer Screening Among People with Disabilities Brooke Steele, DO; Julie Townsend, MS; and Monique Young, MPH, together with scientists in CDC’s Division of Human Development and Disability, co-authored a study on cancer screening among people with disabilities. It found that breast and cervical cancer screening rates were lower among women with disabilities compared to women without disabilities. Screening rates also varied by type of disability, and were higher when health care providers recommended screening. DCPC Staff Showcase Tool to Collect More Timely Data from Cancer Registries Sandy Jones and Wendy Blumenthal, MPH, attended the Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise USA North American Connectathon. This meeting attracts hundreds of health care software vendors who work together to make their proprietary systems interoperable, so they can exchange data with other systems. Ms. Jones and Ms. Blumenthal featured CDC’s eMaRC Plus software, which central cancer registries use to process data from physician electronic health record (EHR) and laboratory information systems. They shared feedback on interoperability issues with health care software vendors that will improve data exchange between EHRs and public health systems