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Highlighted Efforts

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The Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) is committed to advancing research to eliminate cancer and its consequences for all. The following stories highlight several recent and ongoing DCCPS efforts.

Cancer Risk Research on PFAS Prompts Bans and Regulations

An increasing number of states have banned or regulated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in response to DCCPS-funded epidemiological studies showing a link between those substances in the bloodstream and a higher incidence of several cancers.

PRO-CTCAE® Boosts Treatment Tolerability and Optimizes Selection

The Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE®) helps doctors select the best treatments for patients.

Screening Uptake and Monitoring Reduce Deaths

DCCPS-funded surveys, research networks, and registries led to better screening uptake and monitoring among high-risk and economically disadvantaged groups. Efforts resulted in an estimated 20% reduction in breast cancer mortality and 40% reduction in colorectal cancer mortality.

CISNET Modeling Improves Screening Guidelines

The Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) played a significant role in advancing the US Preventive Services Task Force’s screening recommendations for colorectal, breast, lung, and cervical cancers.

Tobacco Control Strategies Reduce Cancer

Declines in smoking from 1975-2000 led to the prevention of nearly 800,000 deaths. DCCPS-funded research built an evidence base for tobacco reduction strategies that prevented 8 million premature deaths from 1964-2012 and led to a reduction in lung cancer mortality rates, which are projected to decrease by approximately 50%.

ASA24 Supports Collection of Critical Dietary Data for Research Across the Cancer Control Continuum

The Automated Self-Administered 24-hour (ASA24) Dietary Assessment Tool is a research resource supported by DCCPS and NIH that enables high-quality dietary data collection. As of early 2025, more than 1,000 peer-reviewed scientific publications have used ASA24 in epidemiologic, intervention, behavioral, or clinical studies on cancer and other health outcomes.

The Role of Physical Activity in Cancer Prevention and Control

A large-scale effort of the Physical Activity Collaboration of NCI’s Cohort Consortium found that physical activity was associated with lower risk of 13 types of cancer, confirming and extending the evidence for the benefit of physical activity on cancer risk reduction and supporting its role as a key component of population-wide cancer prevention and control efforts.

Research on Hereditary Cancer Syndromes Lowers Rates and Deaths for High-Risk Individuals

DCCPS-funded epidemiological research helped women who are predisposed to breast and ovarian cancer benefit from risk-reduction strategies and showed that individuals with other inherited syndromes benefit from earlier and more frequent surveillance.

SEER Data Show Survival Rates After Childhood and Adolescent Cancer

DCCPS-supported research using SEER data – the only comprehensive source of population-based cancer information in the United States – underscored the importance of long-term surveillance investments and revealed that short-term mortality from childhood cancer has improved, but life expectancy for childhood cancer survivors was still lower than for their peers.

DCCPS funds a large portfolio of research grants focused on cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and access to care. Learn about funding opportunities and contact a program director to discuss requirements, available resources, and more.