The Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research and Training (AANCART) is a cooperative agreement between the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the University of California, Davis. It is the first-ever national cancer awareness research and training infrastructure intended to address Asian American concerns.

The overall mission of the Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research and Training (AANCART) is to reduce cancer health disparities by conducting community-based participatory education, training, and research by, for, and with Asian Americans. AANCART serves Asian Americans in the following regions of the United States: Sacramento, CA (which also serves as the National AANCART Headquarters); San Francisco, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Seattle, WA; and Honolulu, HI. This national Network is comprised of four NCI cancer centers and their associated universities, the California Department of Public Health, Chinese Community Health Care Association, and the Hmong Women's Heritage Association. Cumulatively, this Network serves approximately 40% of all Asian Americans.

Consistent with RFA-CA-05-012, AANCART's deliverables are: (1) Sustenance of a highly interactive Network among AANCART regions to catalyze cancer education for Asian Americans; (2) Establishment of research training programs that address Asian American cancer health disparities; and (3) Process and impact data to document the extent to which specific cancer health disparities are reduced among Cambodians, Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Korean, and Vietnamese.

Examples of Asian American disparities to be addressed include those associated with hepatitis B-induced liver cancers, low breast and cervical cancer screening rates, and emerging cancer threats posed by acculturation, diet, and insufficient ethnically-specific representation in clinical trials. Aims will be achieved through both Network-wide and regional activities conducted by the AANCART Steering Committee and involving Asian American-oriented community-based organizations, Cancer Information Service staff, and other supportive entities tied together through past histories of collaboration, memoranda of understanding, and letters of support.

AANCART's Specific Aims

Phase I:  Sustain a robust AANCART infrastructure to support community-based participatory education, research, and training to reduce cancer health disparities.

Phase II:  Foster community-based participatory research and training programs to reduce cancer health disparities.

Phase III:  Establish AANCART as a credible and sustainable Community Network Program (CNP) to reduce cancer health disparities.