About the Program for Cancer Control and Population Science

The program encompasses a range of cancer studies including those by the Center for Population Health and Health Disparities, one of eight centers established by the National Institutes of Health in 2003. The center examines population disparities in cancer detection, prevention, treatment and survival. Its current research focuses on breast cancer.
 
White, African American and Hispanic women receive mammograms at about the same rate, yet minority women are more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced disease and to die from it. This center intends to learn why.

The center also supports studies in prostate cancer.

To accomplish its research, the center develops partnerships with community and patient advocacy organizations. Organizations such as the Greater Roseland District Health Council, Healthcare Consortium of Illinois and Healthy South Chicago have met regularly with the center to discuss and inform the research design and development.

With the Illinois State Cancer Registry, the center established a process that shortens the reporting time of cancer diagnoses to identify potential study participants more quickly. This is the first time the registry has implemented this process, called rapid case ascertainment, since being established in 1986.

The Program for Cancer Control and Population Science is committed to developing new investigators in cancer research. The program offers pre- and post-doctoral fellowships in the Cancer Education and Career Development Program and supports the junior faculty through career development grants and supplemental research grants. The program also is mentoring faculty at Governors State University as they build a research program that addresses health disparities.