NEWSLETTER OF THE NCI DIVISION OF CANCER PREVENTION 1

We can (and should)

learn the science of

cancer prevention

from textbooks and

lectures. However, the

passion for prevention

is equally critical for

advancing the field. I 

developed a passion for prevention when 

I met participants in our first Breast Cancer

Prevention Trial (BCPT) in the early 90’s.

These women put a human face on an

abstract concept. Their sacrifices and experiences help to explain why I am so committed

to the concept of cancer prevention. In 

discussions with them, I heard how families

are ravaged by the consequences of breast 

cancer, how mothers, sisters, and daughters

suffer and die. The women were grateful for

the opportunity to help find an answer to 

preventing this disease. When we opened the

second breast cancer prevention trial, the

Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR), 

1,126 of the women from the placebo arm 

of the first study (BCPT) enrolled. I was 

humbled by the commitment and resolve 

of these women.

Like many of us, I am far from the

“trenches” in my daily administrative activities. However, it is important to keep our eye

on the real reason for our diligent efforts.

Meeting the people whose lives we ultimately

affect helps bring our ultimate purpose into

better focus. While our individual responsibilities may vary, the goal of our work is the

same, to advocate for the pioneering field of

cancer prevention science across the entire

research spectrum, and to bring prevention

into community clinical and public health

practice. If we approach these responsibilities

with the same energy as our research participants, we will be well on our way to turning

the passion for prevention into reductions in

cancer incidence and mortality. ■

From the Top LESLIE G. FORD

Associate Director for Clinical Research, DCP

DCP, DCPC, DRCCA, DCCR, DCRRC, DCG, DCCP... what do these initials stand for? 

The first two are easy: our very own Division of Cancer Prevention and its immediate 

predecessor, the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. The others may seem 

like random strings of letters to most of us, but some probably recall that they refer to past 

NCI divisions. All represent DCP’s ancestors, and therefore, our heritage and our history. 

In a sense, DCP dates back to 1937 – the year FDR signed The National Cancer Institute Act.

Back then, NCI wasn’t organized the way it is now. There were no divisions in 1937; a solid

organizational structure didn’t appear until 1966. In that year, NCI coordinated related activities

by establishing 4 directorships, including the Scientific Director for Etiology. “Etiology” housed

three Associate Scientific Directors: one for Demography, one for Carcinogenesis, and one 

for Viral Etiology. Demography housed the Epidemiology Branch and Biometry Branch, the

forerunner of DCP’s Biometry Research Group. Robert Miller, who today is Scientist Emeritus 

in the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG), headed Epidemiology; William

Haenszel, who passed away in 1998, headed Biometry. continued on page 2

IN THIS ISSUE

From the Top 1

Of Heritage and History 1 

Early Detection Research Network 3

PreventionPOST Credits 3

First Annual Lecture on Cancer

Prevention 3

Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program 4 

Awards 4

The Protocol Information Office 5 

DCP Retreat Yields Project Teams 6

EPS Library Serves the NIH Community 7

Individual Spotlight 7

What Information is Available About Me? 8

Barry Kramer Moves on... But Stays

Connected 8

Nursing and Cancer Prevention: 

Paradox or Paradigm? 9

History of Cancer Prevention: 

Joseph Cullen 10

Transitions 11

Endpoints 12

December 2000

V O L UME 2/ISSUE 2

NEWSLETTER OF THE NCI DIVISION

OF CANCER PREVENTION

PreventionPOST

Of Heritage and History

P AMELA MARCUS
2 PreventionPost DECEMBER 2000

With the signing

of the National

Cancer Act of 1971,

NCI was transformed

into a smaller version

of what it is today.

Under the 1971 

reorganization, four

divisions were established: the Division 

of Cancer Biology

and Diagnosis, the

Division of Cancer

Treatment, as well 

as the two Divisions

that figure prominently in DCP’s lineage: the Division of

Cancer Cause and Prevention (DCCP) and the Division of

Cancer Grants (DCG), which soon after became the Division 

of Cancer Research, Resources and Centers (DCRRC).

For all intents and purposes, DCCP was only a name change

for Etiology. Demography changed its name too, to Field

Studies and Statistics. Many familiar faces around DCP today

were part of DCCP, including Don Corle, Jenny Gaegler, Gary

Kelloff, Dave Levin, and Phil Prorok. Some of today’s members

of DCEG and the Division of Cancer Control and Population

Sciences (DCCPS) also could be found in DCCP – Aaron Blair,

Sue Devesa, Joe Fraumeni, Ben Hankey, Connie Percy, and

Debra Silverman. John Bailar and Fred Li, two well-known

extramural researchers, also are DCCP alumni. DCCP’s claims

to fame include the 3rd National Cancer Survey, the establishment of SEER, and publication of the 2nd edition of Cancer

Rates and Risks (the 4th edition was published in 1996). 

In addition, DCCP administered the Veterans Administration

Cooperative Urological Research Group (VACURG), a network

through which prostate and bladder cancer treatment trials

were conducted.

DCRRC oversaw NCI’s grant-supported activities, including

programs focused on treatment, education and training, 

cancer centers, and biological research. DCRRC’s Cause and

Prevention Branch headed by Thaddeus Domanski was housed

in the Biological Research Program.

In 1974, NCI added a new division – the Division of Cancer

Control and Rehabilitation (DCCR). DCCR’s mission was to

develop and oversee an integrated program of cancer control

and rehabilitation activities, with the goal of reducing cancer

incidence, morbidity, and mortality. DCCR was involved extensively in outreach and community activity. In 1976, DCCR

began a program to allow patients in community hospitals to

participate in clinical trials (later known as the Cooperative

Group Outreach Program); in 1978, the Division made plans

for the Community Hospital Oncology Program (CHOP),

which laid the groundwork for today’s Community Clinical

Oncology Program (CCOP). DCCR’s alumni include Win

Malone of DCP’s Basic Prevention Science Research Group 

and Dick Costlow, who today provides consulting to the 

on-going PLCO Cancer Screening Trial.

In 1980, the Division of Resources, Centers and Community

Activities (DRCCA) was formed through a merger of DCCR

and the majority of DCRRC. DRCCA, with Peter Greenwald at

the helm, continued the commitment to cancer control, developing programs in education (for both physicians and the lay

public) and other aspects of community outreach. During its

existence, DRCCA funded at least sixty-two CCOPs, allowing

cancer patients access to clinical research in their own communities. DRCCA established its Prevention Program to initiate

cancer prevention research in the areas of diet, chemoprevention, early detection, and occupational exposures. Dick

Costlow, who headed DRCCA’s Preventive Medicine Branch,

says that DRCCA “...set the stage for future research including

clinical trials, epidemiology, nutrition, chemoprevention, 

and applied and basic research. Dr. Greenwald brought the

Division to the forefront of research and development of 

cancer control measures.”

In July of 1983, the SEER Program and the Biometry

Branch, both housed at that point in DCCP, were transferred 

to DRCCA. Later that year, DCCP changed its name to DCE –

the Division of Cancer Etiology. DCE changed again in 1995 –

this time to its present-day name of DCEG. 

And DRCCA, on December 5, 1983, changed its name too –

to the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control (DCPC).

Prevention was a new concept when DCPC came into existence,

and relatively little research had been done to determine the

best way of conducting and implementing prevention 

and control programs. Throughout its history, DCPC made

important contributions in prevention and control, too many

to mention by name and in detail. Briefly, DCPC is known for

establishing the Breast and Prostate Cancer Prevention Trials,

the PLCO Cancer Screening Trial, the 5 A Day for Better

Health Program, and the COMMIT and ASSIST Programs.

DCPC’s Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, started in the

mid-1980s, remains today one of the premier resources for

education and training in cancer prevention and control.

October 1997 marked the end of DCPC. Control activities

were shifted to DCCPS, and prevention activities to DCP. 

And there we remain – the Division of Cancer Prevention. 

What will the next 60 years bring? It’s hard to know, but

without a doubt, there will be more research, more lives 

saved, and more initials! ■

[Author’s note: This article would not have been possible without the 

substantial contributions of Aaron Blair, Don Corle, Dick Costlow, Sue DeVesa,

Jenny Gaegler, Peter Greenwald, Judy Grosberg, Ben Hankey, Dave Levin,

Robert Miller, Gloria Rasband, and Doug Weed.]

Of Heritage and History continued from page 1

Biometry, SEER

DCG/DCRRC

1972

DCCP

1972 DCCR

1974

DRCCA

1980

DCPC

1983

DCE

1983

DCEG

1995 DCP

1997

DCCPS

1997

Etiology

1966

NCI

1937

▲

▲

▲

▲

▲

▲

▲

▲

▲
The recent unveiling of details of the human genome

will undoubtedly result in new ways to treat, prevent

and diagnose disease. This information may help cancer researchers in their efforts to detect tumors before they

become life-threatening. The Early Detection Research

Network (EDRN), was created with the primary objective 

to identify, characterize, and validate biomarkers that 

identify precancerous changes or individuals at high risk 

of specific neoplasias. 

Biomarkers (for example, genes, gene products or metabolites of gene products) that may help in the diagnosis or

prognosis of cancer have been examined for many decades.

Certain markers, for example, estrogen receptor status, 

have proven clinically useful in determining sensitivity to

hormonal manipulation in breast cancer. Most marker studies however have involved small numbers of clinical samples,

furthermore, replication of results by other laboratories 

has often been lacking. The NCI saw a need to develop a 

network of laboratories and researchers, as well as collections of clinical samples, that could examine potential biomarkers of early neoplasia, refine and optimize methods for

examination, and validate markers. Thus, ERDN was born.

A New Paradigm

EDRN represents an unprecedented level of collaboration

among investigators nationwide. It is investigator driven and

investigator managed. The staff members of the Division of

Cancer Prevention are heavily involved in logistical and

administrative aspects of EDRN. The overarching rationale

behind EDRN is the idea that groups of excellent extramural

investigators, when given financial and logistical support,

can effectively and quickly explore an area of research, in

this case, early detection opportunities. 

Scientific Components Of EDRN

The EDRN network consists of four major components. 

The components are 1) Biomarker Development

Laboratories (BDL): The eighteen BDLs consist of specific

investigators examining specific types of cancers. The BDLs

employ a wide variety of the most technically advanced

genomic and proteomic techniques to identify proteins,

genes, or metabolites whose expression may be altered during tumor development. Biomarker development involves

examination of lesions as well as blood, serum, urine and

saliva. 2) Biomarkers Validation Laboratories (BVLs): 

FIRST ANNUAL LECTURE ON CANCER PREVENTION

continued on page 11

Early Detection Research Network R ON LUBET

On August 3rd, the First Annual

Lecture on Cancer Prevention

was held in Lister Hill auditorium

on the NIH main campus. 

Dr. Richard Klausner, Director of

the NCI, introduced our speaker,

Bernard Levin, MD, Vice President

for the Division of Cancer

Prevention, M.D. Anderson

Cancer Center, The University of

Texas, in Houston, Texas. The title of Dr. Levin’s lecture was Cancer

Prevention: What is the Future?

Dr. Levin, a renowned expert in the area of colorectal cancer

research, serves on many committees. He is chairman of the

American Cancer Society’s National Advisory Task Force on Colorectal

Cancer and was recently appointed Chair of the National Colorectal

Cancer Roundtable. 

As part of the introduction, Dr. Levin was presented with a 

certificate in appreciation of his participation in this newly created

lecture series. ■

Richard Klausner, Bernard Levin, 

and Douglas Weed

NEWSLETTER OF THE NCI DIVISION OF CANCER PREVENTION 3

PreventionPOST

EDITORIAL GROUP

Doug Weed (Editor-in-Chief)

Don Henson, Pamela Marcus, Dee

Sullivan

LAYOUT & CONTRACT GROUP

Terri Cornelison (not pictured),

Jennifer Flach, Ron Lubet

DISTRIBUTION & INTERNET GROUP

Kathleen Foster, Judy Smith, Susan

Winer

CARTOONIST

Graça Dores

DCP Newsletter Project Team
C ANCER PREVENTION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

AWARDS

Congratulations go to the

recipients of the first Cancer

Prevention Research Training

Merit Award – Bill Anderson

and Kathleen Jennings-Dozier.

Bill and Kathleen received 

certificates and cash awards. 

Recently, Rachael StolzenbergSolomon along with senior

investigator, Dr. Rashmi 

Sinha, received a grant from

the Division of Cancer

Epidemiology and Genetics. ■

4 PreventionPost DECEMBER 2000

On July 5th, the 

15th NCI Summer

Curriculum in 

Cancer Prevention began

with its course, “Principles

and Practice in Cancer

Prevention and Control”.

We had a record 75 attendees. Because of the large

size, lectures were held at

the Neuroscience Building,

located on Executive

Boulevard near our office.

For next summer’s course,

we plan to have space for

100 participants. 

Each summer, Dr.

Federico Welsch, Director 

of the Office of International Affairs, NCI, 

sponsors a group of international researchers who attend the course. This year, eight researchers, representing 

Egypt, Vietnam, Republic of Korea, Kenya, Armenia, Hungary, and Gaza Governates, 

participated. They provided valuable information on cancer activities within 

their countries.

This summer, a new course, Molecular Prevention, was added. This course was 

limited to 45 participants and had a waiting list nearly as long. Next year we will be 

able to accommodate a larger number of interested researchers.

The grant writing workshop continues to move ahead. Several of our Fellows have 

submitted grants and are awaiting the outcome. 

Recruiting for the Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program has been in full swing. 

During the summer of 2000, we could be found at the Office of Special Populations’ 

Cancer Control Academy in Bethesda, Maryland and at the American Psychological

Association Meeting held in Washington, DC. This was a large meeting of 

approximately 13,000 people. Sharing the booth was the Division of Cancer Control 

and Population Sciences, Applied Research Branch. Literature and brochures about 

the Fellowship Program 

are displayed at the major

association meetings 

including, the World Tobacco

Conference in Chicago,

American Public Health

Association (APHA), and

American Society of 

Cell Biology (ASCB).

Fellows Corner

Most of our first year fellows

spend their initial year in master of public health programs.

continued on page 5, bottom

At the Forefront of Training SUSAN WINER

Bill Anderson

Summer course

Top Row: Charles Dinh, Charisee Lamar, Susan Winer, Christian Abnet, 

Philip Castle, Claudine Kavanaugh, Steve Hursting, Mollie Howerton, 

Volker Mai, Lauren Hughes, David Berrigan, Doug Weed, Jackie Lavigne, 

Lisa Colbert, Heng Xie. 

Bottom Row: Susan Steck, Ann O’Mara, Barbara Redding, Graça Dores, 

Heide Weaver, Beth Dixon, Rachael Stolzenberg-Solomon, Deirdre Lawrence,

Pothur Srinivas, Rita Misra, Elizabeth Jones, Pam Mink

ON THE PERSONAL SIDE

We would like to congratulate

Lisa and Sean Poe on the birth

of their second son, Keith

Joseph, as well as Elizabeth

Jones and her husband,

William Pritchard, on the birth

of their third child, David. Best

wishes go to Volker Mai and his

bride, Vinata Vedam. ■

Kathleen 

Jennings-Dozier

INVITED LECTURE

Doug Weed gave a lecture at

Grand Rounds in the Clinical

Center, NIH. The title of his

July 11 lecture was “Science,

Ethics, and the Future of

Preventive Oncology”.
INDIVIDUAL SPOTLIGHT

The Protocol Information Office was created to provide

a standardized approach to the administration and

review of clinical studies in the Division of Cancer

Prevention. After the Division reorganized into a matrix 

structure, a project team examined the historical clinical

protocol review practices in the former Chemoprevention

Branch and Community Oncology and Rehabilitation

Branch. The project team recommended the establishment

of a centralized office for the review of clinical study concepts and protocols across the clinical Research Groups.

“The goal of the PIO is to provide a transparent and seamless process for the review of clinical protocols and management of protocol-related information,” said Leslie Ford,

Associate Director for Clinical Research. 

The PIO existed as a virtual office until it was offically

established in Fall 2000 in the Office of the Associate

Director for Clinical Research, Office of the Director, DCP.

Three individuals make up the PIO. Linda Parreco, Clinical

Trials Nurse Specialist, heads the office. She joined DCP

from Georgetown University in August 1999, and had

worked in the Wichita CCOP prior to Georgetown. Jennifer

Flach, Clinical Research Program Specialist,

moved to the PIO in 1999 from COPTRG, where she was located for 5

years. D’Annie Gunter, Pharmacology

Specialist, worked at the Food and

Drug Administration before coming to

NCI. The PIO relies on the talents of a

number of DCP and other NIH personnel

in the review of protocols and other

activities. In addition, the PIO receives administrative, 

scientific, and regulatory assistance from CCS Associates, a

DCP techincal support contractor. 

DCP conducts reviews of scientific, programmatic, statistical, safety, and regulatory aspects of the clinical protocols it

sponsors. To accomplish this, the PIO interacts most often

with the Community Oncology and Prevention Trials,

Chemoprevention Agent Development, Organ Systems, and

Biometry Research Groups. Studies come from a variety of

funding mechanism including contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants. The PIO coordinates such reviews for a

spectrum of DCP-supported clinical studies, including all 

phases of clinical research. 

“The PIO has provided a needed extra set of eyes for

reviewing protocols. This effort has shortened the protocol

approval process which in turn has made the process more

efficient. It’s also nice to have a one stop information office 

for the current status of Phase I and II Clinical Trials,”

explained Schuyler Eldridge, Contracting Officer, who manages the contracts for many of DCP’s early phase chemoprevention studies. The PIO abstracts and maintains protocolrelated information that is used for internal oversight, 

decision-making, reporting, and responding to queries from

Contracts and Grant staff, Congress, extramural investigators, PDQ, the NCI Office of Communications, and other

DCP constituents. The PIO is developing a way to track milestones in protocol development, implementation, and completion. When this process is put in place, it will help allow

DCP prevent languishing studies and help utilize resources

more carefully.

The Protocol Information Office

JENNIFER FLACH

Our first year fellows and their choice of schools include: 

Johns Hopkins University George Washington University

Erik Augustson Alexis Bakos

La Creis Kidd Jennifer Eng-Wong

Kerri McGowan-Lowery

Pauline Mysliwiec Harvard University

Dina Paltoo Theodore Marcy

Mark Parascandola Janet Tooze

Heather Poetschke-Klug

Susan Thomas University of North Carolina at 

Maya Zecevic Chapel Hill

Christopher Kennedy

Leah Mechanic

Elizabeth Jones and Susan Steck have already started their

research here at the NCI. 

We wish all of our former Cancer Prevention Fellows the

best of luck in their continuing careers. Bill Anderson joined

the Gastrointestinal and Other Cancer Research Group,

DCP. Kathleen Jennings-Dozier has just accepted a position

as an Associate Professor, College of Nursing and Health

Professions at MCP Hahnemann University in Philadelphia,

PA. Kevin Knopf joined a private oncology practice near

Annapolis, Maryland; Deirdre Lawrence is now an

Epidemiologist in DCCPS; Ellen Velie took a position as an

Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology at

Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI; and Mary

Ellen Wewers returned to Ohio State University as a

Professor in the College of Nursing. ■

Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program continued from page 4

NEWSLETTER OF THE NCI DIVISION OF CANCER PREVENTION 5

Linda Parreco continued on page 10
6 PreventionPost DECEMBER 2000

The Governor Calvert House in beautiful Annapolis,

Maryland was the setting for the annual DCP “All

Hands Retreat” held May 3-4. This year’s event began

with a reception and dinner on Wednesday evening and 

concluded on Thursday following a full day of sessions.

Throughout the day, staff members were assigned to participate in small working groups on a variety of topics relevant

to the Division. The assignments were rotated to ensure

that each participant had an

opportunity to interact with

different individuals. Rhey

Palmer joined the group as

retreat facilitator and kept

the discussion lively and 

on target. Agenda topics

open to discussion this year

included staff orientation,

marketing and communication, recruitment and retention, and the awards process.

The topics were developed

into project teams and

assigned team leaders 

by Dr. Greenwald at the conclusion of the retreat. Results

and final reports of the project teams were presented to Dr.

Greenwald at a Team Leader meeting held on August 2nd.

The Staff Orientation Project Team was charged with

developing an orientation plan to facilitate the transition of

new DCP employees into the Division. Team members

included team leader Judy Smith (LUACRG), Jim Crowell

(CADCRG), Jenny Gaegler (BRG), Ann Malner (OD),

Barbara Redding (OPO), Ellen Richmond (GOCRG), 

Sheila Stempler (OD), Eva Szabo (LUACRG), and Lindy

Wong (COPTRG). Team members collected, reviewed, and

organized information from a number of sources including

the NIH general orientation program, DCP materials, 

government websites, discussions with new employees, 

notes from the retreat, and staff development literature. 

The Project Team produced an Orientation Manual that

standardizes the structural pathway for the orientation 

and integration of new staff members into the Division. 

The team will remain intact to evaluate the effectiveness of

the program through a series of surveys to be distributed

later this year to group chiefs, orientation preceptors, 

and new employees. 

The Awards Project Team was led by Rose Mary

Padberg (OD) and included Iqbal Ali (BPSRG), Martha

Basinger (CADRG), Linda Parreco (OD), Gloria Rasband

(OD), Vernon Steele (CADRG), Jaye Viner (GOCRG), and

Heide Weaver (OPO). In their final report to the Director,

the team presented a review of award principles, the existing

award structure, DCP’s award record for civil servants 

and PHS staff, and recommendations for future award 

practices. The team stressed that supervisors, new as well 

as experienced, could benefit from training to better

acknowledge staff contributions and excellence. 

The Communications and Marketing Project Team, led 

by Kara Smigel-Croker

(OD), was developed to

assist in sustaining and

expanding the prevention

research program of 

DCP and to address DCPrelated sections of the

Extraordinary Opportunities in Communication. 

The project team was asked

to address several issues

regarding the awareness of

DCP and prevention science,

especially as perceived by

the general public, U.S.

Congress, and the scientific

community. The team 

developed a Promotion Plan that details strategies to 

promote DCP and the prestige of prevention science, and

recommends the plan as a guide for the Division’s pursuit 

of evidence-based, audience-targeted communications 

strategies. Other team members include Lora Kutkat

(CBRG), Jennifer Flach (OD), Andrew Hruszkewycz

(PUCRG), Thea Kalebic (CBRG), David Kausal (PUCRG),

Levy Kopelovich (CADRG), Pamela Marcus (BRG), 

Howard Parnes (COPTRG), Dee Sullivan (EDRG), and

Claudette Varricchio (COPTRG). 

In their final report, the Recruitment and Retention

Project Team summarized the steps and timing involved in

the current DCP hiring process, identified new NCI-wide 

initiatives, benchmarked recruiting practices in other 

NCI Divisions and other NIH Institutes, and reported on

integration with the Marketing Project Team to strategize

marketing aspects of recruitment. Project Team members

include team leader Steve Hursting (OPO), Terri Cornelison

(BGCRG), Kathleen Foster (BGCRG), Young Kim (NSRG),

John Milner (NSRG), Paul Pinsky (EDRG), Carole Watson

(ARC), and Susan Winer (OPO). Long-term plans for the

team include identifying, prioritizing, and developing strategies for dealing with critical “environmental” issues related

to recruitment and retention, such as options for access to

labs and clinics, joint appointments with other divisions 

or local academia, competitive salaries and benefits, and

mentoring and staff development. ■

DCP Retreat Yields Project Teams

JUDY SMITH

Governor Calvert House
Our library in EPS should capture our pride. It is the

smallest certified member of the National Network 

of Medical Libraries. Yet our EPS library serves 

all of Executive Boulevard. 

Under the capable supervision of Gloria Rasband for more

than 10 years, the library has continued to grow in size and

importance. It has more than 450 journal and newsletter

titles, a growing collection of books, and a website (http://

eplibrary.nci.nih.gov). Through the web, staff can search the

book database and directly access articles from more than 

160 on-line journals. Most of the books are gifts from other

libraries that have duplicate titles. Unique at NIH in providing

services for its size, the EPS library maintains two copy

machines one of which has color, a computer, and carrels for 

literature review.

In addition to her management responsibilities and other

duties, Gloria has always made herself available to help staff.

She offers immediate assistance in research reference emergencies, guides newcomers through literature searches, orders and

exchanges books through the interlibrary loan, returns books

to the main library, and renews library cards. Gloria will 

soon start a new service designated “Current Alert.” Staff will

be able to receive the latest contents of favorite journals as

they appear in electronic form. Katherine Chen of DCEG, who 

also translates Chinese medical journals, assists Gloria. Eve

Axelrod, a student at Barnard College, helps in the summer. 

The library started in the 1970s as two separate collections

of journals, one from the Division of Cancer Prevention 

and Control and the other from the Division of Cancer

Epidemiology and Genetics. The collections were merged

when the library moved to EPS. Because of the dual collection,

the library was originally known by the names of the divisions.

The name was changed in 1997 to the EPS library. 

For convenience, the library is open from 7:30 AM to 

6:15 PM. FACS card allows entry at other times. ■

EPS Library Serves the NIH Community

DON HENSON

GLORIA RASBAND has a passion for libraries

and computers, and combines these interests

as Technical Information Specialist for the

National Cancer Institute (NCI) Executive

Plaza South (EPS) Library. She was born in

Petoskey, Michigan, a pretty resort town, 

and grew up in Grand Blanc, Michigan. 

Ms. Rasband earned her bachelor’s degree

from The University of Michigan – Flint

College, and her masters degree in reading/

special education from Eastern Michigan

University. After teaching first grade she came

to the NCI in the mid 1970’s and worked 

as an epidemiologic research assistant for 

Dr. Fraumeni, where she readily mastered 

the then very cumbersome Medline retrieval

program. Since then she has served as 

Social Science Analyst in the National

Institute of Mental Health, and as Computer

Programmer for both the Division of

Computer Research and Technology (where

she became Cobol, Fortran, and Pascal literate), and for Dr. Marciniak at the Division 

of Cancer Prevention and Control (DCPC). In

addition to these activities, she stayed home

for many years to care for her son, helped

friends in their businesses, helped run after

school day care programs in her

church and elementary school, and

helped a design company produce activity

sets that challenge the elderly in nursing

homes to think and reminisce.

Knowing that she always wanted to work

in a library, Gloria Rasband worked parttime at the Environmental Law Institute

Library cataloging books, and became the

EPS Librarian 10 years ago when the position

opened. Ms. Rasband feels that her guardianship of the EPS library is by providence

because this library was created from the

merging of her old library in the Landow

Building, Bethesda, Maryland with the old

DCPC library in the Blair Building, Silver

Spring, Maryland. This position “pulls

together loose ends from my past, and I am

happy to be working with the wonderful 

people from long ago, as well as all the new

ones”. As an EPS Technical Information

Specialist, Ms. Rasband now has ties with 

all staff from the Division of Cancer

Prevention (DCP), Division of Cancer Control

and Population Sciences (DCCPS), and

Division of Cancer Epidemiology and

Genetics (DCEG). ■

TERRI L. CORNELISON

Gloria Rasband

INDIVIDUAL SPOTLIGHT

Who was your favorite teacher?

My kindergarten teacher because 

her classroom had one of those 

water dispensers with the little 

cone-shaped cups.

Who was your most influential

teacher? My library science professor from the Library of

Congress. She was Chief of the

Congressional Reference Service, and

was an inspiration.

What is your favorite book, and why?

The Celestine Prophecy by James

Redfield. It offers a very positive and

hopeful outlook for the future.

How do you relax? I take my dog

Sparky for a walk. I also like canoeing

and walking in the woods with my husband. My husband and I are planning

to start tandem bicycle riding.

What has been your favorite 

journey? A trip to Germany, France,

and Switzerland with my husband. I

was able to live out my Grandmother’s

dream of visiting her homeland.

What place have you never been 

to that you would like to visit?

Alaska. I hear it is spectacular.

What is the best meal you have ever

had? I have had so many.

What is your favorite color? Green.

What is your favorite number?

Eleven, because I was born on 11/11.

What is your favorite sport?

Ping-pong!

What is your favorite vegetable?

Corn.

What do you hate the most?

Smoking! Smoking! Smoking!

What is your greatest love?

Eating and Sleeping.

If you could change just one thing in

the world, what would it be? That

people would say “hello” to each other,

and just be kind to one another.

What is your greatest accomplishment to date? Raising our son who 

is now in high school. ■

NEWSLETTER OF THE NCI DIVISION OF CANCER PREVENTION 7
You may ask, “How much information can someone

obtain about me, just because I work for the Federal

Government?” This is a common question raised 

by employees caught in the struggle between the legislative

requirements of government and their desire, as Federal

employees, for personal privacy.

The Privacy Act is the law that protects much of our privacy. Still, as Federal Government employees, Federal regulations make certain information about us available to the public, upon request. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

states that, “the following information ... about most present

and former Federal employees is available to the public (5

CFR 293.311(a)):

Name

Present and past position titles and occupational series

Present and past grades

Present and past annual salary rates

Present and past duty stations, and

Position descriptions, identification of job elements, 

and performance standards.”

Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations allows for the

release of contact information, stating that: “[t]he ... work

address, and work telephone number for every employee 

are available for public disclosure.” However, this same 

regulation also denies certain information, stating that: “[t]he

home address and home telephone number of any such

employee are not available for public disclosure.”

The Privacy Act and Exemption 6 of the Freedom of

Information Act (FOIA) protects Federal employees from any

unqualified release of personal information. Exemption 6

protects information in personnel and medical files from disclosure that would constitute a clearly unwarranted 

invasion of personal privacy. Information that may not be

released includes:

date and place of birth

age

marital status

home address and phone number

medical records

details of health and insurance benefits

the substance of promotion recommendations

information concerning or provided by 

relatives and references

allegations of misconduct or arrests

military service number

Social Security Number

Requests are sometimes received for employee 

resumes. In that instance, the requested documents 

are provided but the information noted above is 

deleted, or sanitized, along with the deletion of the 

following information: license numbers; attachments not specifically referenced in the resume; dates that degrees were earned;

and locations of private sector employment.

Requests can be made for other information that is 

not covered by the Privacy Act or the FOIA. These include

requests for information to be used in Equal Employment

Opportunity and security clearance investigations. 

In these instances, the officials who receive personal information in the course of their duties are trained to protect the privacy of employees. It is against the law for any employee or

Government official to use or share personal information for

any purpose other than that associated with official business.

What is the answer to the original question? The answer is

that anyone can learn what we do for the Federal Government

and where we do it. They can also receive other work-related

information. But private information – the information that

has no relevance to our jobs – is protected by the Privacy Act

and Exemption 6 of the FOIA. This is just as true for Federal

employees as it is for the public we serve. ■

What Information is Available About Me? C A R OLE WATSON

ADMINISTRATIVE RESOURCE CENTER

Barry Kramer Moves on...

But Stays Connected

DCP’s Deputy Director, Barry Kramer, has moved on.

He is now the Director of the Office of Medical

Applications of Research (OMAR) at NIH. 

Dr. Kramer will stay connected with DCP however as a

Senior Medical Scientist in the Division.

On July 26, 2000, DCP hosted a reception in honor of

Dr. Kramer at Wilson Hall in Building 1 on the Main

Campus. At the reception Dr. Peter Greenwald, Dr. Leslie

Ford and others recounted many of Dr. Kramer’s

accomplishments during the past 10 years. The

program included a musical history of Dr. Kramer’s career performed by DCP’s own Barbara

Dunn, Kathleen Foster, Karen

Johnson, and Rose Mary

Padberg with a guest

appearance by Otis

Brawley. ■

8 PreventionPost DECEMBER 2000
Anew job title, that of Nurse Specialist, Clinical Trials,

has made an appearance of late in the Division of

Cancer Prevention. This is a relatively novel experience

for many in the Division, as nurses have traditionally been

found in clinical settings. The hypothesis is that a nursing

background of hands-on-experience makes a contribution to

the scientific arena of cancer prevention research. Several

nurses have accepted the

challenge of translating their

expertise as clinicians and

educators into this pioneering

field within oncology. When

asked how they view their

current positions, the nurses

consistently noted that 

their past experiences have

enabled them to create a

bridge between the worlds of

clinical practice and prevention research. 

The Office of the Director

has two experienced oncology nurses on its staff,

Rose Mary Padberg RN,

MA, and Linda Parreco, RN, MS. Before joining the OD, both

Rose Mary and Linda worked in clinical and administrative

nursing positions. Rose Mary, Special Assistant to the

Associate Director for Clinical Research and Program

Director, finds that her previous experience with the treatment

of cancer patients gives her insight into the informed consent

process, making her a strong advocate for clinical trial participants. She finds that her practical experience in the field gives

her a perspective on how things work, and aids her in advising others in trial development. Linda’s experience in oncology case management has given her a grasp of the importance

of quality standards and she is using this experience in heading the Protocol Information Office. Her expertise also contributes to the evaluation of review procedures for the development of new protocols, and in identifying areas where

processes can be changed to improve consistency and quality. 

Three nurses can be found in the Organ System Research

Groups: Judy Smith, RN, MSN, AOCN, Lung and Upper

Aerodigestive Cancer Research Group; Kathleen Foster, RN,

BA, Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Research Group; and

Ellen Richmond, RN, MS, CRNP, Gastrointestinal and 

Other Cancer Research Group. Judy has worked in clinical

research settings in medical and radiation oncology, 

and as such has insights into administrative as well 

as functional aspects of conducting clinical trials. 

She finds that nurses with a broad knowledge base of

cancer screening principles and practices can effectively

promote wellness through the dissemination of information

that contributes to informed decision-making. 

Kathleen, who has worked in the area of breast cancer

screening, brings with her a heightened awareness of the 

concerns of high-risk women and their families. She finds 

that nurses, in addition to their problem solving skills, have

traditionally functioned as a liaison between the patient or

community and the medical

establishment. This role can

carry over to the present

environment as needs emerge

for increased communication

and knowledge sharing 

with extramural investigators, and their staff. 

Ellen has previously

coordinated all phases of a

number of clinical trials,

with an emphasis on GI

cancers. This has served as a

motivating factor in Ellen’s

practice of nursing. Past

involvement in the intimate

care of cancer patients fosters a desire to prevent cancer. Her additional training as a

Nurse Practitioner focused primarily on health promotion,

disease prevention and chronic illness. 

Rounding out the complement of DCP nurses are Claudette

Varricchio, RN, DSN, FAAN and Ann O’Mara, RN, PhD,

MPH. These DCP nurses focus their interests on tertiary 

prevention and complications arising from cancer. Claudette,

Program Director and Nurse Consultant, oversees research

activities in the Community Oncology and Prevention Trials

Research Group. Her past experience was predominantly in

an academic setting as School of Nursing faculty at various

institutions around the country. In DCP, Claudette guides

other researchers in their evaluation of interventions involving

quality of life issues, symptom management and reduction of

cancer associated morbidity. Ann is a Cancer Prevention

Fellow, and with Claudette as her mentor, continues focusing

her research on issues affecting cancer patients at the end of

life, including better access to hospice care. Before coming to

DCP, Ann worked in acute care oncology and as Program

Director at the graduate level Oncology Nursing track,

University of Maryland.

Nurses clearly bring a wealth of information and experience

to the cancer prevention setting. In addition, all have 

discovered that their roles are defined by the unique work 

of the individual groups. As a “value added” factor, the role of

Nurse Specialist will undoubtedly continue to broaden just as

DCP has grown and changed. ■

Nursing and Cancer Prevention: Paradox or Paradigm?

KATHLEEN FOSTER

NEWSLETTER OF THE NCI DIVISION OF CANCER PREVENTION 9

Back row: Kathleen Foster, Ann O’Mara, Claudette Varricchio

Front row: Judy Smith, Ellen Richmond, Rose Mary Padberg
1 0 PreventionPost DECEMBER 2000

HISTORY OF CANCER PREVENTION

“During the past months, the PIO staff has been busy not

only keeping the day to day protocol and concept review work

moving, but with learning and understanding the workings of

the current system in which protocols are developed and

reviewed, “said Linda Parreco. “Discussions with members of

the Clinical Research Groups, the Contracts Branch, and others further educated us about those parts of the system that

work well and those that need improvement.” This understanding will lay the groundwork on which PIO can create

policies, procedures, and tools that are consistent with the values and goals of the division. Jim Crowell, Acting Head of the

CADRG, said, “The PIO provides a focal point for the energy

and expertise of the Division in clinical protocol development.

Consistency of language usage, formatting, and performance

measures will clarify communications and expectations within

the Division and among the outside investigators.” 

To support the work of the PIO, a web-based database 

system is being developed with the technical help of Oracle,

ScenPro, and the NCI Office of Bio-informatics. This system,

called Protocol Information Management System (PIMS), 

will maintain data associated with the receipt, review,

approval, initiation, and tracking of DCP protocol documents.

Additional data fields and features will be phased in over time.

The initial users of the system will be the PIO staff. In the

future, DCP project officers, program directors, and program

analysts will have access to system. PIMS is expected to the

first step towards an electronic enterprise system for DCP that

will facilitate both internal and external communication. 

“The development of a computerized management system 

will further increase the efficiency of regulatory management

and, based on the use of the same software, broaden the data

available to the DCP staff to include preclinical and pharmaceutical information.” said Jim Crowell, who has provided

valuable input into the design of PIMS. Input from DCP staff

and other future users has been crucial in the building and

testing of PIMS. 

The PIO contributes to the mission of DCP by helping the

research groups move ideas from concept into active clinical

studies faster and more efficiently. The PIO also improves customer service for the extramural investigators who develop

and implement research for DCP. “While the concept and protocol review system needs to work efficiently for the DCP staff

involved, the ultimate goal is that it work effectively for the

end user, the Principal Investigator or Research Group submitting the clinical trial for review,” said Linda Parreco. ■

The Protocol Information Office continued from page 5

As readers of this issue of PreventionPOST

have learned, NCI’s Divisions of Cancer

Prevention (DCP) and Cancer Control and

Population Science (DCCPS) emerged from the

Division of Cancer Prevention and Control

(DCPC). Although many scientists and administrators had key roles to play in NCI’s efforts to

develop and support the science and practice of

cancer prevention and control in DCPC, few were

as dynamic and effective as Dr. Joseph Cullen,

Deputy Director from 1982 through 1989. Joe was a 

prominent figure in the smoking prevention research scene,

prime mover behind the now completed COMMIT and

ASSIST projects, and an unapologetic promoter—a champion—of cancer prevention and control. In partnership with

Peter Greenwald, he was instrumental in early efforts to

design and promote a scientific approach to cancer control.

Born in Boston, he was by education and training a

behavioral scientist, receiving a masters degree in Clinical

and Experimental Psychology from Boston

College, and his Ph.D. in Physiological

Psychology from Florida State. At the NCI, Joe

built up a strong smoking and tobacco control

research program until be was recruited to direct

the AMC Cancer Center in the Denver, Colorado

area. Hardly a year had passed by in this new

position when, on vacation, he was found to have

a brain tumor. Three days later, 

Joe Cullen died.

He will not be forgotten. The American Society for

Preventive Oncology has a special achievement award given

yearly in Joe’s honor. The list of awardees include: Ellen

Gritz, Tom Glynn, Tracy Orleans, Don Shopland, Mike

Fiore, Ed Lichtenstein, Jack Henningfleld, John Pierce, and

Susan Curry. He is remembered today by those who knew

him and worked for him as a leader and as a mentor, with

energy and unbounded enthusiasm for cancer prevention 

and control. ■

Joseph Cullen: Champion of Cancer Prevention and Control

DOUGLAS L. WEED

DCP home base: Executive Plaza 
NEWSLETTER OF THE NCI DIVISION OF CANCER PREVENTION 1 1

We would like you to join us in welcoming new staff to DCP:

Twanda Adams

Program Assistant

Cancer Biomarkers Research

Group 

From National Navy 

Medical Center

William Anderson, MD, MPH

Medical Officer, 

Gastrointestinal and Other

Cancers Research Group

From Cancer Prevention

Fellowship Program, DCP

Leah Holmes

Comprehensive Administrative

Technician, ARC

From United States 

Department of Agriculture

Izet Kapetanovic, PhD

Program Director

Chemopreventive Agent

Development Research Group

From Antiepileptic Drug

Development Program, NINDS

Lora Kutkat, MS

Program Analyst

Cancer Biomarkers 

Research Group

From Cancer Diagnosis 

Branch, Division of Cancer

Treatment and Diagnosis

DEE SULLIVAN

Ellen Richmond, RN, MS, CRNP

Nurse Specialist

Gastrointestinal and Other

Cancers Research Group

From Georgetown University

Sharon Ross, PhD, MPH

Nutritionist

Nutritional Science 

Research Group 

From Center for Food Safety

and Applied Nutrition, FDA

Harold Seifried, PhD

Program Director

Nutritional Science Research

Group 

From Division of Cancer 

Biology, NCI

Wendy Wang, PhD, MSc

Program Director

Cancer Biomarkers Research

Group 

From Division of Cancer

Epidemiology and 

Genetics, NCI

Departures:

DCP send good wishes to Christine D. Berg, MD as 

she begins her position as Director of Surburban Hospital

Cancer Center in affiliation with the Johns Hopkins

University. 

DCP will miss Cindy Rooney, who has taken a position with

the Office of Medical Applications of Research at NIH.

TRANSITIONS

Kara Smigel-Croker, MS

Communication Manager

Office of the Deputy 

Director, DCP 

From Office of Cancer

Communication, NCI

Lori Minasian, MD

Chief

Community Oncology and

Prevention Trials Research

Group 

From Georgetown University

Caroline Tran

Office Automation Clerk

Community Oncology 

and Preventive Trials 

Research Group 

From the Office of Naval

Research

Mark Zweig, MD

Special Volunteer

Biometry Research Group

From Clinical Center, NIH

The three BVLs will take the potential biomarker tests identified by the BDLs, and standardize these tests to assure reproducibility. If needed the BVLs will modify the test for large

scale clinical use. 3) Clinical and Epidemiology Centers: 

The nine Centers will collect samples blood, tissue, urine and

saliva samples from individuals with cancer, precancer or at

high risk of cancer. 4) Data Management and Coordination

Center: Because biomarker these studies generate vast

amounts of data, a group specifically assigned to data 

collection and data management is required. 

What Are The Prospects?

The use of new genomic or proteomic approaches to identify

individuals with early neoplasia or those at high risk of 

neoplasia is likely to define many potential biomarkers. More

importantly, these biomarkers may be able to define early cancer related changes in body fluids (e.g. serum, urine or sputum). Identification of individuals with early cancer or at high

risk of developing specific cancers could result in enrollment in

cancer prevention trials, further examination using advanced

imaging techniques, or watchful waiting.

“With the creation of the ERDN, we are entering a new

era of translational research, where the journey from the laboratory to the clinic is a coordinated collaborative effort.

Ultimately ERDN will benefit patients by the rapid creation

of better tests to find cancer and the discovery of points in

time at which to intervene or prevent disease,” said Richard

Klausner, NCI Director ■

Early Detection Research Network continued from page 3

CONGRATULATIONS!

Philip C. Prorok, Ph.D. has

recently been appointed

Chief of the Biometry

Research Group.
1 2 PreventionPost DECEMBER 2000

PreventionPOST

Newsletter of the Division of Cancer Prevention

National Cancer Institute

Executive Plaza South, Suite T-41

6130 Executive Boulevard, MSC-7105

Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7105

These days there isn’t much talk of

heroes, not in our line of work anyway. The only epidemiologist given

this title in the past 50 years is John

Snow for his pump handle diplomacy

with V. Cholerae over 100 years ago.

But there are others. J. E. LaneClaypon, who was featured in this

newsletter (see Issue #1), is one. Walter Reed and Joseph

Goldberger are others. I am not exactly sure what constitutes heroism in this context, although it must involve

actions taken to improve public health through prevention,

and the impact must be profound. As we have learned to

say, heroism is done “against all odds.”

ENDPOINTS

Heroes and Champions

DOUGLAS L. WEED

Editor-in-Chief

We can’t all be heroes. As Will Rogers pointed out,

someone has to be clapping on the sidelines as the heroes

glide by. Champions are another matter. True, only one

contestant can win the title in sporting events, but that’s not

the sort of champion I’m talking about. What I mean by a

“champion” is someone who promotes the work and skills

of another, who believes in their potential and provides

opportunity. A champion is, like a mentor, there to help a

co-worker or colleague succeed, not so much against the

odds as with them. Joe Cullen who is featured in this issue

was such a champion for many of us in the early days of

cancer prevention and control at the NCI. This issue of

PreventionPOST is dedicated to his memory. May more of

us be champions. ■

CART OON

GRAÇA DORES