August 31, 2023:

Members of the population science clinical trial working group had their work published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. The article is titled, “Current Approaches to Serving Catchment Areas in Cancer Centers: Insights from the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium Population Science Working Group.”

Abstract:

In 2021, the NCI issued updated guidance clarifying the mission and organizational structure for Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) for Cancer Center Support Grants. These guidelines outlined how cancer centers should address the cancer burden of the catchment area (CA) and define how COE would partner with the community to inform cancer research and implement programs to reduce the cancer burden. In this paper, the Common Elements Committee of the Population Science Working Group in the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium describes their respective approaches to implementing these guidelines.

We discuss our definitions and rationales for each CA, data sources used, and our approach to assessing the impact of COE efforts on the burden of cancer in our respective CA. Importantly, we describe methods of translating unmet CA needs into our cancer-relevant outreach activities, and cancer research addressing the needs of respective CAs. Implementing these new guidelines is a challenge, and we hope that sharing approaches and experiences will foster cross-center collaborations that may more effectively reduce the burden of cancer in the US and meet the mission of the NCI’s Cancer Center Program.

Read the full article.

Authors: Sharon L Manne Cheryl L Knott Ann Berger Victoria L Champion,  Elizabeth Chrischilles Marian L FitzgibbonAnita Y Kinney Eugene J LengerichSarah H NashMelissa A SimonAmy Trentham-DietzElectra D Paskett

Institutions: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, University of Maryland, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Penn State Cancer Institute, Northwestern University, Carbone Cancer Center, The Ohio State University. 

About the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium: The Big Ten cancer centers have united to transform the conduct of cancer research through collaborative, hypothesis-driven, highly translational oncology trials that leverage the scientific and clinical expertise of Big Ten universities. The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium creates a unique team-research culture to drive science rapidly from ideas to treatment-changing paradigms. Within this innovative environment, today’s research leaders collaborate with and mentor the research leaders of tomorrow with the unified goal of improving the lives of all patients with cancer.

About the Big Ten Conference: The Big Ten Conference is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. The broad-based programs of the 14 Big Ten institutions will provide over $200 million in direct financial support to more than 9,800 students for more than 11,000 participation opportunities on 350 teams in 42 different sports. The Big Ten sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women, including the addition of men’s ice hockey and men’s and women’s lacrosse since 2013. For more information, visit www.bigten.org