What providers should know about community cancer control

The authors describe a framework for developing an effective, community-focused cancer control program.

Progress in the application of cancer control interventions has proven to be quite variable across different populations and communities. The Kentucky Cancer Program, developed under joint sponsorship of cancer centers at two state universities, has been using a model that appears to provide a high degree of sensitivity to community-specific problems and solutions. The Kentucky four-step model includes 1) using data from a population-based cancer registry and other sources to identify problems; 2) ensuring community involvement with providers in selecting the target population and developing the intervention strategy; 3) implementing the intervention plan; and 4) using cancer registry and other data to evaluate the impact of this intervention.

This framework may be useful to providers as they try to balance the goals of their clinical practice and the goals of community cancer control. Developing an effective, community-focused cancer control program requires that providers gain a solid knowledge about their community. The depth and richness of that knowledge base is enhanced by the active participation of community members as they collaborate with the providers on planning and implementing cancer control activities.