The Program for Cancer Control and Population Science works closely with community groups affected by cancer, health practitioners and public health officials to improve cancer detection and reduce dealth from cancer, especially among disproportionately affected populations. The program’s cornerstone is the Center for Population Health and Health Disparities [1].

Although the incidence rates of many cancers are lower for minorities than whites, minorities are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at later stages and die from it at higher rates.

The Program for Cancer Control and Population Science is a collaboration between the UIC Cancer Center and the Institute for Health Research and Policy, where it resides. The program’s researchers collaborate with local community organizations, health care providers, and public health departments. View our partners [2].

Richard Warnecke [3], professor emeritus of epidemiology, public administration and sociology, directs the Program.

Researchers in the program currently aim to:

• Reduce breast cancer among African American and Latina women [4] by examining the factors that influence access to breast cancer screening, the barriers to obtaining care, and the time between diagnosis and treatment.
• Improve early detection of oral cancer [5] among underserved, at-risk populations throughout Illinois by educating the public about oral cancer, promoting screening by dental and medical providers, and offering no-cost screening opportunities in community settings.
• Reduce disparities in prostate cancer morbidity and mortality [6] by examining the impact of social, lifestyle, and health care-related factors that increase the risk of progressive and fatal forms of the disease.

As a part of the University of Illinois at Chicago, the program mentors new investigators in cancer research through the Cancer Education and Career Development Program [7]. The program also is helping faculty at Governors State University [8] build a research portfolio that addresses health disparities.