Download Overview

Comprehensive Cancer Control Plans Implementation
in Appalachian Communities Program
Exploring Special Appalachian Cancer Issues with Communities
After a review of 30 Appalachian cancer roundtables and forums, a team of ETSU staff (with
input from a multi-state Advisory Board) identified five topics of special interest to the
Comprehensive Cancer Control community in Appalachia. Five organizations responded to
explore each topic in greater depth. Each response involves Appalachian communities and
state Comprehensive Cancer Control programs, and will produce a written report that is useful
in understanding the unique issues related to cancer control in Appalachia. An Advisory Board
meeting is scheduled in May, 2011, where Advisors will discuss methods for disseminating
findings to multiple states within the Appalachia region. A summary of each topic of inquiry is
provided below.
Mobile Cancer Screening Units: This special topic is being investigated by James
Keresztury, of Mountains of Hope (the West Virginia CCC) and the Mary Babb Randolph
Cancer Center. Telephone interviews are being conducted with CCCs, multiple mobile cancer
unit operators and their community partners in four states to identify key characteristics of units
operations and role in cancer control in rural communities.
The Use of Cancer Navigators: The Virginia Cancer Plan Action Coalition (Virginia CCC)
successfully competed to examine this special topic under the leadership of Sharon Dwyer &
Ann Duesing. Several state CCCs completed preliminary surveys of characteristics of navigator
program, and followed up with a day-long meeting to further explore different program models; a
follow-up meeting of key leaders is scheduled for February 25th, and this coalition of states is
interested in further developing their partnership to improve cancer navigation within their own
states and across state lines.
Communication Around Environment and Lifestyle Risks for Cancer: ETSU chose to
organize and convene appropriate cancer coalition representatives from four states for this
topic. A two day invitational meeting with environmental epidemiologists and community cancer
advocates is scheduled for March 28-29 to identify challenges in public discussions when
communities inquire about cancer rates; successful methods for CCCs to engage communities
in cancer control and improve participation in lifestyle-environmental risk discussions will be
generated.
The Use of Storytelling in Cancer Control: The ETSU Storytelling Department has
organized a regional review of where, by whom and how storytelling is used as a strategy for
public education for cancer control. A survey of internet sources and telephone surveys among
programs that use storytelling in healthcare settings is being completed; and will include followup discussions with organizations & support groups. Media will be collected and reviewed to
elaborate processes, methods, and messages used in cancer education.
Physicians’ Involvement with Cancer Control: Walter Shepherd, of Comprehensive
Cancer Consulting Services, formerly director of the North Carolina CCC successfully competed
to address this topic. Content analysis of cancer plans is being conducted to identify recruitment
strategies; an e-mail survey is being conducted with CCCs to identify key champions and
discuss best practices in recruitment and busy professionals’ stories about their involvement.
East Tennessee State University Cancer Communication Program 2006-20013