About the ProgramNational Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP)

Since 1998, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP) has made great strides to reduce the burden of cancer in the United States. NCCCP supports 50 states, the District of Columbia, 7 tribal groups, and 7 U.S. Associated Pacific Islands/territories to establish coalitions, assess the burden of cancer, determine priorities, and develop and implement cancer plans. Comprehensive cancer control (CCC) programs across the nation are working in their communities to promote healthy lifestyles and recommended cancer screenings, educate people about cancer symptoms, increase access to quality cancer care, and enhance cancer survivors' quality of life.

The NCCCP's success is grounded in partnerships that reach across traditional divides to make CCC a reality in communities across the nation. CCC coalitions form an army of dedicated individuals, professionals, and cancer survivors who share expertise, resources, and ideas to tackle priorities that are too broad to confront alone. The result is a powerful network of groups across the nation, working to reduce cancer and improve survivors' quality of life.

Accomplishments

Since 1998, the number of programs participating in the NCCCP has increased from six to 65, all of which are in various stages of implementation.

Effective strategies for reducing cancer deaths and the number of new cases of cancer include ensuring that evidence-based screening tests and treatments are available and accessible, and reducing behavioral and environmental risk factors. Read examples of CCC programs in action.

Ongoing Work

CDC continues to—

• Pro­vide financial assistance to help initiate and enhance CCC programs' activities.
• Offer ongoing technical assistance to programs that are developing and implementing CCC plans, including guidance on evaluating CCC to identify and measure accomplishments.
• Support partnerships that strengthen cancer control at the national, state, and local levels.
• Broaden awareness of the CCC concept and its benefits.

These steps help support the best in partnership, program evaluation, and cancer control prac­tice for improving the health of people in every stage of life—one of CDC's primary health-protection goals.

Future Directions

CDC plans to conduct research and surveillance activities that will develop and evaluate comprehensive approaches to cancer prevention and control. Results will guide interventions designed to address cross-cutting issues (such as health disparities and survivorship) at state, tribal, and territorial levels.

Some of the projects already planned or underway will—

• Describe components of state cancer plans, and report on selected topics and issues covered by the plans.
• Develop specific program performance measures that reflect the outcomes being achieved through CCC.
• Help states determine challenges of implementing their cancer plans and define strategies to obtain necessary resources.
• Conduct research to determine successful implementation strategies for CCC.