Abstract IA14: Translating science into policy for public benefit
Authors: Hawk Ernest 
Published: October 2015

The effective prevention of cancer is based upon cancer control, which, historically, has been defined somewhat differently across institutions. UT-MD Anderson defines cancer control as implementation and dissemination of evidence-based products in three domains: 1) public policy, 2) education (both public and professional), and 3) community-based clinical service delivery and delivery enhancement. Comprehensive cancer control programs combining all three of these elements are typically most impactful. Although behavioral/clinical interventions and educational initiatives will always be necessary, public policy interventions applied at any organizational level (e.g., institutional, regional, statewide, national, international) represent a critical component of cancer control, given their broad reach, sustained impact across time, and potential to promote and reinforce cultural transformation.

The mission of UT-MD Anderson's Cancer Prevention & Control Platform (CP & CP) is to develop and implement clinic and community-oriented, evidence-based projects in cancer prevention, screening, early detection, and survivorship to achieve a measureable and lasting reduction in the cancer burden, particularly among the poor and underserved of our catchment area, and extending to the global community. This translational goal is entirely consistent with our institutional mission “…to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world.” Although the CP & CP has a broad mandate and numerous actions involving the full range of control activities, it currently supports a number of policy-driven initiatives through partnerships with various organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and various other local, state and national public health agencies and coalitions. The recent passage of legislation restricting minors' access to tanning beds in Texas represents just one policy-related, educational component of a comprehensive strategy undertaken by the CP & CP to promote skin cancer awareness and preventive actions. As part of a comprehensive approach to tobacco control, the Platform is also educating the public regarding Smoke-Free Texas legislation. Additionally, the Platform recently convened a large public forum involving leading tobacco control representatives to discuss, deliberate, and prioritize potential policy, public education, and clinical service initiatives that could be considered to reduce tobacco use in our population. Recently, our faculty and staff developed a comprehensive set of evidence-based, strategic and tactical recommendations entitled, “EndTobacco” to guide UT-MD Anderson's and partners' efforts to collaboratively reduce the tobacco burden in our population. As one component of the EndTobacco program, UT-MD Anderson has implemented a new tobacco-free hiring policy. We aspire to develop public education, clinical service, and policy initiatives that will promote the effective delivery and dissemination of cancer preventive vaccines (such as HPV vaccines) in our population, as well.

Continued partnering to inform and support policy change is critical to our success in translating compelling scientific discoveries into tangible actions to improve the public's health and reduce cancer's burden in our population. Submitted on behalf of the UT-MD Anderson Cancer Center's Cancer Prevention & Control Platform Leadership Team - Mark Moreno (co-lead), Jenny Tektiridis, Lewis Foxhall, David Wetter, Martha Salas, Kendra Woods, Stephanie Kim, Rosalind Bello, Shibu Varghese

Citation Format: Ernest Hawk. Translating science into policy for public benefit. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Seventh AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 9-12, 2014; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2015;24(10 Suppl):Abstract nr IA14.