Community Outreach and Engagement at U.S. Cancer Centers: Notes from the 3rd Cancer Center Community Impact Forum

• Published in: Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention biomarkers & prevention, 2023-12, Vol.32 (12), p.1777-1782
• Main Authors: Leader, Amy E, Brandt, Heather M, Briant, Katherine J, Curry, Gina, Ellis, Kiara, Gonzalez, Evelyn T, Guerra, Carmen E, Harding, Garrett, Hull, Pamela C, Israel, Aimee, Mellilo, Rebecca, Mesia, Rachel J, Schiffelbein, Jenna E, Song, Yawei, Surani, Zul, Tiro, Jasmin A, Vadaparampil, Susan T, Vanderpool, Robin C, Paskett, Electra D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1055-9965; 1538-7755
• DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-23-1017

Community outreach and engagement (COE) is a fundamental activity of cancer centers as they aim to reduce cancer disparities in their geographic catchment areas. As part of COE, National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers must monitor the burden of cancer in their catchment area, implement and evaluate evidence-based strategies, stimulate catchment area relevant research, support clinical trial enrollment, and participate in policy and advocacy initiatives, in addition to other responsibilities. The Cancer Center Community Impact Forum (CCCIF) is a national annual meeting of COE professionals who work at or with cancer centers across the country. CCCIF grew out of earlier discussions at American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO) annual meetings, where COE was often discussed, but not exclusively. The 3rd annual CCCIF meeting – hosted by the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University – was held in June 2022 in Philadelphia, PA, where more than 200 participants listened to dynamic presentations across 12 COE-related panel sessions. CCCIF leadership and ASPO AD/PL Workshop Planners worked together on the agenda. The 12 sessions used a COE lens to focus on: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI); Policy; State Cancer Coalitions; Evaluation and Metrics; Implementation Science; In-reach; Outreach; Training and Education; Funding, Personnel and Resources; Clinical Trials; Innovative Methods; and Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. This article is a summary of main points and key lessons from each session, as well as a summary of overarching themes that were evident across the sessions.