DCEG carries out population-based and interdisciplinary research to discover the genetic and environmental determinants of cancer. The research portfolio includes a broad range of studies that target special populations and seek to uncover the underlying reasons for cancer-related health disparities. The study of racial patterns, geographic variation, and temporal trends in cancer rates has provided important clues to the role of lifestyle and other environmental factors that affect cancer risk. Case-control, cohort, and intervention studies help to elucidate the causes and methods to prevent health disparities.

NCI's Cancer Atlas includes maps of cancer mortality rates with data specifically for Black Americans. These cancer maps can be used to pinpoint areas of increased cancer mortality in the U.S. for minority populations and provide direction for current and future DCEG health disparities studies.