Leadership Institutes

The Comprehensive Cancer Control Leadership Institutes (CCCLI) were a collaborative effort convened by the American Cancer Society, the American College of Surgeons, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers, C-Change, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Chronic Disease Directors, the Intercultural Cancer Council, the National Cancer Institute, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries.

Purpose

Their purpose was to provide a strategic opportunity for a group of highly skilled, influential individuals to engage in collective action to support implementation efforts for a comprehensive cancer control approach within their state.

The Institutes were intended for states that were developing or revising their comprehensive cancer control plans and preparing for implementation. States already implementing a comprehensive state plan learned how to improve coordination, communication, and accountability.

Rationale for Comprehensive Cancer Control

Cumulative Public Health Benefit
During the last decade, the number and scope of cancer control programs have grown tremendously. These programs generally address a particular cancer site such as breast or prostate, or reducing specific risk factors such as tobacco use. The experience and knowledge gained from these categorical programs provide a solid basis for a more comprehensive approach to cancer prevention and control.

Partnership Benefit
Many stakeholders involved in cancer prevention and control activities recognize that coordination among categorical programs is uncommon. This may lead to duplicated efforts and missed opportunities. Both individuals and organizations working on specific cancer prevention and control efforts support coordination and integration to enhance existing programs. They are committed to helping define strategies to promote programs and services that are available across the full spectrum of cancer prevention and control (prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, palliation, survivorship, and end of life).

Collective Empowerment
No single organization or agency has the capacity to address all of the cancer control needs within a state. Individual leaders are willing to join together to focus time, resources, and staff on a comprehensive cancer control approach. They can make decisions and take actions that affect cancer control across the whole community.

Gap Reduction
While many accomplishments have been made in cancer prevention and control, disparities among racial and ethnic minority and medically underserved populations still exist. A comprehensive approach to cancer prevention and control requires leaders to create a holistic vision that addresses the gaps in cancer control within their state.