Global Health Overview
In This Section:
Background
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Not only is it the second leading cause of death in economically developed countries, but, as the global burden of disease shifts from infectious to non-communicable, chronic illnesses, cancer is now the third leading cause of death in developing countries. It is projected that by the year 2050, the global burden of cancer will increase from the recent estimate of 1.3 million to 27 million new cases, and from 7.6 million to 17.5 million deaths, largely because of the aging of the population.
Mission
The Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) aims to reduce risk, incidence, and deaths from cancer worldwide, as well as to enhance the quality of life for cancer survivors. The division conducts and supports an integrated program of the highest quality genetic, epidemiological, behavioral, social, applied, and surveillance cancer research in the United States and internationally. DCCPS-funded international research aims to monitor and explain the causes and distribution of cancer in populations throughout the world, and to support the development and delivery of effective interventions. Central to these activities is the process of synthesis and decision-making, identifying new priorities and strategies, and effectively applying research discoveries to reduce the global cancer burden.
Vision
DCCPS is committed to playing a major role in reducing cancer worldwide, and collaborates with international public health researchers and communities to decrease the global cancer burden.
How We Work
With the support of numerous foreign awards, domestic awards with foreign components, international meetings, international committees, and international consortia, DCCPS aims to:
- Mobilize global communities to address issues surrounding cancer surveillance and cancer screening, with an emphasis on cancer prevention and treatment
- Establish global partnerships to research health promotion and health communication along the cancer continuum, including tobacco control and prevention
- Support research on the interaction of behavioral, psychological, and social processes with biological factors as they relate to cancer risk and cancer outcome
- Foster research collaborations on cancer survivorship, including length of survival, quality of life, and prevention of subsequent disease and/or disability development
- Fund research programs to examine cancer etiology and prevention that would increase our understanding of the determinants of cancer and cancer-related outcomes
- Build alliances and partnerships among cancer investigators Develop capacity through cancer research and training programs
