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What is Cancer Progress Report - 2003 Update? The National Cancer Institute's Cancer Progress Report - 2003 Update is an online report that tracks the nation's progress against cancer across the full cancer continuum -- from prevention through the impact of deaths from cancer. |
Why is the report important? It is the only report of its kind to present -- all in one place -- the most up-to-date information on the nation's progress against cancer, gathered through a collaborative effort with other key cancer agencies and groups, including the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, other federal agencies, the American Cancer Society, professional groups and cancer researchers. Cancer Progress Report - 2003 Update presents national cancer data, trends, and progress relative to certain cancer-related targets of Healthy People 2010 (a comprehensive set of 10-year national health objectives developed through a public-private effort sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). The report represents an effort to make cancer information more accessible and understandable. |
What is the main message of the report? The nation is making progress toward a number of major cancer-related Healthy People 2010 targets. However, we are losing ground in other important areas that demand attention. |
What is in the report? The report includes key measures in the areas of prevention, screening, diagnosis, life after cancer, and the end of life. Progress is tracked over time, usually beginning in 1990. This progress is measured against certain cancer-related targets of Healthy People 2010.
The body of the report includes standardized information for each measure, including background, definition of measure, time period, trend, most recent estimate, Healthy People 2010 target, groups at high risk and key issues. This information is summarized in chart form in the Highlights section of the report. Special color-coded graphics in this section show whether the trend is going in the desired direction and how the nation's progress compares to the Healthy People 2010 targets. |
How is the information displayed and explained? Most of the trend graphs were made using a statistical method (joinpoint regression analysis) that illustrates real changes in direction instead of merely connecting one dot to another. The report shows whether trends are rising or falling, and it explains why changes might have occurred. For some measures, differences in the cancer burden between some U.S. racial and ethnic groups also are presented. The measures, trends and progress are summarized in chart form in the Highlights section of the report. |
Where did the data come from? The data in Cancer Progress Report - 2003 Update come from a variety of systems and surveys with different collection techniques and reporting times, so time periods may vary. Data were gathered from the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, other federal agencies, professional groups and cancer researchers. |
How were data selected? Measures were selected based on scientific evidence and the availability of periodic or longitudinal national, rather than state or local, data collection and analysis efforts. Criteria for selecting measures included the relevance of what was being measured (e.g., impact on cancer, national policy implications); the scientific rigor underlying the measure (e.g., validity, reliability and explicitness of evidence base); the feasibility of using the measure (e.g., availability of long-term data); and usability by target audiences (e.g., ease of understanding and applicability).
The report includes more measures for prevention, because more data on trends are available in that area. Where possible, 1990 was used as the starting point or baseline against which to measure how well the nation is progressing toward the Healthy People 2010 targets. |
What data are not in the report? Not all measures for all relevant areas of cancer progress could be included in this report. In some cases, trend information on a national level is not available. In other cases, there are no reliable numbers at this time. Regarding cancer treatment measures, although dramatic advances have been made in the treatment of many cancers, a national data system for tracking and assessing successes over time is not yet in place.
Some measures such as quality of life, while important in assessing the cancer burden, were not included because there simply is no consensus on how best to track those measures at this time. Future editions of the report will include these as well as measures on preventable environmental exposures. Also to be included are more population-level measures like the one in this edition describing state laws on smoke-free air. |
Who can use the report? People can use the report to better understand the nature of cancer and the results of work being done to fight it.
Researchers, clinicians and public health providers can focus on the gaps and opportunities identified, and work to make future progress against cancer. |
How often will the report be updated? The online report will be updated in Fall 2005. |
What is the rationale for the report? The Cancer Progress Report resulted from recommendations in the late 1990s by NCI's Cancer Control Program Review Group (CCPRG) and Surveillance Implementation Group (SIG) to develop a national progress report on the cancer burden. The CCPRG was convened in 1996 by the NCI director and the NCI Board of Scientific Advisors to evaluate the full scope of the institute's cancer control research program. The SIG was established by the NCI director to provide advice and recommendations for expanding and enhancing NCI's cancer surveillance research program. |
How can I get a copy of the report? Cancer Progress Report - 2003 Update is available online only. Any section
of the report may be printed by clicking "Print This Page" in the
upper-right corner of the screen. Free copies of the 2001 print version may be ordered by calling 1-800-4-CANCER and requesting Cancer Progress Report 2001 (T905). A stand-alone version of the executive summary, Cancer Progress Report 2001: Highlights (T983), also is available. |
Where can more information on cancer be found? http://www.cancer.gov
1-800-4-CANCER |
Where should questions about Cancer Progress Report - 2003 Update be directed? Send questions to Progress Report Help. |
