Communications and Outreach Program (COP)

The communications program focuses on disseminating information about NCI program initiatives, funding opportunities, clinical trials, and educational materials via the OCCAM website. Additional projects include assessing the opinions and interests of cancer researchers, CAM practitioners, and cancer patients regarding CAM research and outreaching to these communities regarding cancer CAM issues. In addition, this program assists in supporting a dialogue between health practitioners and researchers regarding CAM cancer issues.

Surveys

The OCCAM's goals are to increase the amount of high-quality information and research on the use of CAM and CAM-related approaches for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer and cancer-related symptoms and treatment side effects, and to provide NCI with an interface with the general public, health practitioner communities, and research communities regarding CAM cancer issues.

To further the goals of the office, two surveys were conducted, one of CAM practitioners and the other of cancer researchers with an interest in CAM research.

Through the surveys, OCCAM wanted to assess the interest and concerns of CAM practitioners and cancer researchers regarding the potential utility of various CAM approaches to the care of cancer patients. We were interested in the perception of these groups about opportunities and support for CAM research and obstacles to carrying out research objectives. This information would be used to inform new program development and implementation.

In addition, the OCCAM was interested in determining communication channels commonly used by CAM practitioners and cancer researchers. This information would assist OCCAM in outreach to members of the CAM research and practitioner communities and dissemination of information regarding research opportunities, particularly the NCI Best Case Series Program. The OCCAM also wanted to facilitate the collaboration between cancer researchers and CAM practitioners and to identify those who were interested in this endeavor.

The results of the surveys have been recently compiled with the intention of future publication. Please refer back to the website periodically for the notification of when the results will become public.

Note: The Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine is not an information clearinghouse and does not have any materials for public distribution other than those that can be viewed on this website. Other offices at the NCI and NIH, identified on the pages of this website, are equipped to help with your health information needs.