Cancer Control PLANET – A “Consumer’s Report” for cancer prevention and care

Cancer Control PLANET – A “Consumer’s Report” for cancer prevention and care

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently introduced a new web portal to serve as a guide to successful transfers of evidence-based research into practice. Cancer Control PLANET aims to be a kind of “Consumer Reports” for cancer prevention and care.
Initially, programs in tobacco control and physical activity interventions are the only ones available on the site, but sun safety, breast, cervical and colorectal screening and dietary topics are next in line. Are you interested in what kinds of educational programs have been successful in changing seventh-graders’ attitudes about smoking? Do you want to know if self-help guides work as well as intensive therapy in getting relapsed smokers to quit again? The PLANET summarizes successful studies in these areas and provides program guides and access to materials.

The site guides users through a five-step process of building a cancer control program, providing resources at each set. Users can gauge specific risks and study historical cancer trends within their own states. They can also find contact information for local partners like regional branches of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or American Cancer Society (ACS) that may have established cancer control programs. Along with downloading evidence-based programs and products, users can also browse resources that allow them to plan and evaluate their own programs.

The National Cancer Institute, CDC, ACS and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration co-sponsor the site at cancercontrolplanet.cancer.gov/index.html.

Source: HABIT, April 29, 2003, Vol. 6, No. 4