CECCR I/II Background

The Origin of the CECCR Initiative:
Communication plays a crucial role in accelerating national progress against cancer. In 2003, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) funded the Centers of Excellence in Cancer Communication Research (CECCR) as a means for harnessing the power of the information revolution to extend the reach, improve the effectiveness, and increase the efficiency of cancer communication. The innovation and scope of the initiative reflects NCI’s recognition that effective communication can and should be used to narrow the gap between discovery and application, and help eliminate cancer disparities among our citizens.

Original CECCR RFA: CA-03-007

NCI’s current Centers of Excellence in Cancer Communication Research:
University of Michigan
University of Wisconsin, Madison
St. Louis University
University of Pennsylvania

CECCR II RFA: RFA-CA-08-004

Download Application Form: PHS 398

What’s New about the CECCR II Award?
At the suggestion of our Board of Scientific Advisors, this iteration of the CECCR initiative will focus on clinical application- i.e. the importance of cancer communication within the context of hospitals, clinics, and other clinical settings.

View footage of NCI’s Board of Scientific Advisor’s (BSA):
Content includes: Dr. Brad Hesse’s CECCR Presentation and BSA
Commentary (March 5, 2007)

To view this video, download a free copy of RealPlayer.

Relevant Publications:
Patient-centered Communication in Cancer Care: Promoting Healing and Reducing Suffering

CECCR mid-course update report

Additional Sources:

• Abrams, D. B. (2006). Applying transdisciplinary research strategies to understanding and eliminating health disparities. Health Educ Behav, 33(4), 515-531.
• American Cancer Society. (2006). Cancer Facts and Figures, 2006. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society.
• American Cancer Society. (2007). Cancer Facts and Figures, 2007. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society.
• Arora, N. K. (2003). Interacting with cancer patients: the significance of physicians' communication behavior. Soc Sci Med, 57(5), 791-806.
• Berwick, D. M. (2002). A user's manual for the IOM's 'Quality Chasm' report. Health Aff (Millwood), 21(3), 80-90.
• Brailer D. (2005). Action through collaboration: a conversation with David Brailer. The national coordinator of HIT believes that facilitation, not mandates, are the way to move the agenda forward. Interview by Robert Cunningham. Health Aff (Millwood), 24(5), 1150-1157.
• Cancer Center Directors Working Group. (2006). Accelerating Successes Against Cancer. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• CECCRs Working Group. (2006). Centers of Excellence in Cancer Communication: Midcourse Update. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• Croyle, R. T. (Ed.). (1995). Psychosocial effects of screening for disease prevention and detection. New York: Oxford.
• Demark-Wahnefried, W., Aziz, N. M., Rowland, J. H., & Pinto, B. M. (2005). Riding the crest of the teachable moment: promoting long-term health after the diagnosis of cancer. J Clin Oncol, 23(24), 5814-5830.
• Epstein, R. M., & Street, R. L. (2007). Patient-Centered Communication in Cancer Care: Promoting Healing and Reducing Suffering. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute.
• Fox, S., & Rainie, L. (2002). Vital decisions: How Internet users decide what information to trust when they or their loved ones are sick. Unpublished manuscript, Washington DC.
• Finney Rutten, L.J., Arora, N.K.(2007) Provider-patient communication across the cancer care continuum. In O'Hair, H.D., Kreps, G.L., & Spraks, L. (Eds). Communication and Cancer Care. Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.
• Hesse, B. W. (2005). Harnessing the power of an intelligent health environment in cancer control. Stud Health Technol Inform, 118, 159-176.
• Hesse, B. W., Nelson, D. E., Kreps, G. L., Croyle, R. T., Arora, N. K., Rimer, B. K., et al. (2005). Trust and sources of health information: the impact of the Internet and its implications for health care providers: findings from the first Health Information National Trends Survey. Arch Intern Med, 165(22), 2618-2624.
• Hesse, B. W., & Shneiderman, B. (2007). eHealth research from the user's perspective. Am J Prev Med, 32(5 Suppl), S97-103.
• Hewitt, M. E., Greenfield, S., & Stovall, E. (2006). From cancer patient to cancer survivor : lost in transition. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.
• Institute of Medicine. (2001). Crossing the quality chasm : a new health system for the 21st century. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.
• Institute of Medicine. (2002). Speaking of health : assessing health communication strategies for diverse populations. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.
• Institute of Medicine. (2004). Health literacy : a prescription to end confusion. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.
• Kreps, G. L. (2005). Disseminating relevant health information to underserved audiences: implications of the Digital Divide Pilot Projects. J Med Libr Assoc, 93(4 Suppl), S68-73.
• Kreps, G. L., & Viswanath, K. (2001). Communication interventions and cancer control: a review of the National Cancer Institute's health communication intervention research initiative. Fam Community Health, 24(3), ix-xiii.
• Leyden, W. A., Manos, M. M., Geiger, A. M., Weinmann, S., Mouchawar, J., Bischoff, K., et al. (2005). Cervical cancer in women with comprehensive health care access: attributable factors in the screening process. J Natl Cancer Inst, 97(9), 675-683.
• Meissner, H. I., Potosky, A. L., & Convissor, R. (1992). How sources of health information relate to knowledge and use of cancer screening exams. J Community Health, 17(3), 153-165.
• Nelson, D. E., Kreps, G. L., Hesse, B. W., Croyle, R. T., Willis, G., Arora, N. K., et al. (2004). The Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS): development, design, and dissemination. J Health Commun, 9(5), 443-460; discussion 481-444.
• Newman, L. (2001). Panel examines impact of public figures on cancer awareness. J Natl Cancer Inst, 93(1), 8-9.
• Pew. (2005). Trends 2005: Information for the Public Interest. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center.
• Rice, R. E. (2001). The Internet and health communication: A framework of experiences. In R. E. Rice & J. E. Katz (Eds.), The Internet and Health Communication: Experiences and Expectations (pp. 5-46). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
• Rutten, L. J., Squiers, L., & Hesse, B. (2006). Cancer-related information seeking: hints from the 2003 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). J Health Commun, 11 Suppl 1, 147-156.
• Viswanath, K. (2005). Science and society: the communications revolution and cancer control. Nat Rev Cancer, 5(10), 828-835.
• Wagner, E. H. (2004). Chronic disease care. Bmj, 328(7433), 177-178.