Cancer control research for community programs: the National Cancer Institute initiative

Recognizing the need to integrate community populations into cancer control research and building on the demonstrated success of community oncologists to participate in treatment clinical trials, the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, NCI, expanded the focus of the Community Clinical Oncology Program in 1987 to foster the development and implementation of cancer control research through the existing clinical trials network. NCI-funded cooperative groups, cancer centers, and a state health department provide research opportunities in screening and early detection, chemoprevention, smoking cessation, and continuing care. Feasibility protocols, pilot studies, and randomized clinical trials are in progress. This effort links community oncologists and other health care professionals to research in cancer control; provides access to large populations for preventive oncology studies; and establishes an effector arm for transferring current knowledge into community practices. The CCOP program is a model for maximizing available resources for future cancer control research and public health measures.