About TCCCP
National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
The Texas Comprehensive Cancer Control Program is part of the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP). Since 1998, NCCCP has provided the funding, guidance, and technical assistance that programs use to design and implement impactful, strategic, and sustainable plans to prevent and control cancer. NCCCP supports all 50 states and the District of Columbia, seven U.S.-associated Pacific islands/territories, and eight tribes and tribal organizations.
Why Comprehensive Cancer Control
Coordination of cancer control activities is essential to maximize resources and achieve desired cancer control outcomes. Comprehensive cancer control (CCC) results in many benefits including increased efficiency for delivering public health messages and services to the public.
Groups of stakeholders that fight cancer in state, local, or tribal areas are called cancer coalitions. They are the backbone of comprehensive cancer control. Texas’s cancer coalition is the Cancer Alliance of Texas.
Comprehensive Cancer Control Plans
Cancer plans allow CCC programs and coalitions, such as TCCCP and the Cancer Alliance of Texas, to put their goals into action. Cancer plans to focus on the types of cancer unique to each community that have the highest burden. They include strategies that have worked in other places to help prevent and control those cancers.
Current TCCCP Projects
Primary Prevention of Cancer Through HPV Vaccination
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can cause six cancers, including cervical, oropharyngeal, vulvar, vaginal, penile, and anal cancers (CDC). HPV vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent HPV-related cancers (CDC). Vaccination is safe for both boys and girls and is recommended at age 11 or 12 years (CDC).
TCCCP is working with local health departments and nonprofit organizations that have identified clinics to implement evidence-based interventions to increase HPV vaccination uptake and completion among adolescents.
To learn more about evidence-based interventions to increase vaccination uptake, click here: https://www.thecommunityguide.org/assets/What-Works-Factsheet-Vaccination.pdf. To learn more about the HPV vaccine schedule and dosing, click here: https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/hcp/schedules-recommendations.html.
Primary Prevention of Cancer through Nutrition: Promoting Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
Making healthy nutrition choices and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk of cancer (CDC). Emerging research suggests that eating more fruits and vegetables can offer a protective effect against some types of cancer and that people who are obese may have an increased risk of some types of cancers (NIH).
TCCCP is working with Feeding Texas to expand its Healthy Pantry Project. Two Feeding Texas food banks will implement the Healthy Pantry Project in select food pantries.
To learn more about how healthy choices can reduce your risk of cancer, click here: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/prevention/other.htm. To learn tips for healthy eating, click here: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/
Screening and Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer
Of cancers affecting both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States (CDC). Regular screening allows doctors to look for pre-cancerous polyps and remove them before they turn into cancer (CDC). Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure (CDC).
TCCCP is working with local health departments that have identified clinics to implement evidence-based interventions to increase colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 50-75.
To learn more about colorectal cancer, as well as evidence-based interventions to increase colorectal cancer screening, click here: https://www.thecommunityguide.org/media/pdf/OnePager-CancerScreening-Multicomponent-ColorectalCancer.pdf
Improving Cancer Survivors’ Quality of Life
The CDC uses the term cancer survivor to refer to a person who has been diagnosed with cancer, from the time of diagnosis throughout his or her life (CDC). It is important for survivors to keep a healthy weight and stay physically active for better response to treatment and survival outcomes, better mental and physical quality of life, lower risk for having cancer recur or developing new cancer, and lower risk for developing a comorbid illness such as diabetes or heart disease (CDC).
TCCCP has partnered with the YMCA of the USA and local YMCA associations to expand the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program for cancer survivors. The LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program is an evidence-based, 12-week physical activity and well-being program designed to help adult cancer survivors and their families achieve their holistic health goals.
To learn more about cancer survivorship, click here: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/survivorship/index.htm
This fact sheet provides information about TCCCP program outcomes for the 2018-2019 grant year.
Cancer Alliance of Texas (CAT)
TCCCP actively administers the Cancer Alliance of Texas, the statewide comprehensive cancer control coalition. Members work together to reduce the burden of cancer in Texas by focusing on primary prevention, early detection, better treatment, enhanced survivorship, and elimination of disparities.
For more information, contact Amanda Ivarra, Program Specialist.