CDC and NCI Release 1999-2007 United States Cancer Statistics: Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report
The 1999-2007 United States Cancer Statistics (USCS): Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report marks the ninth time that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have jointly produced official federal cancer incidence statistics for each state having high-quality cancer data. The report is produced in collaboration with the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries.
view Web based report

National Research Project Seeks Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Cancer Survivors
Are you an Asian American or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander who has been diagnosed with cancer? Please help with a national research study to understand the needs of Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander cancer survivors. Study participants will receive a $10 gift card. It takes about 20-30 minutes to complete.
For details, and to participate, please visit https://www.aapihealth.org/study/. If you would rather complete this survey on paper, please contact mnitta@apiahf.org or (415) 568-3311.

NCI Targets Genomic Mutations in Childhood Cancers to Make Therapeutic Advances
The NCI's Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) initiative aims to identify genetic markers in childhood cancers so that new and more effective therapies targeting these cancers' specific genetic mutations can be rapidly developed. Supplemental funding through the Recovery Act has helped expand the TARGET initiative to include additional pediatric cancers of study, as well as continued research on neuroblastoma, a solid tumor that arises in immature nerve cells. The goal of the neuroblastoma project is to uncover alterations in the neuroblastoma genome that are important to the development of the high-risk form of the disease, and more importantly, those forms that can potentially be treated with targeted therapies. Institutions and researchers collaborating on the TARGET initiative ultimately seek to improve treatments as well as reduce the long-term side effects in children battling the disease.
Learn more about this initiative

HHS Awards $320 million to Expand Primary Care Workforce under the Affordable Care Act
United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced $320 million in grants under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to strengthen the health care workforce. Of those grants, $253 million will go to improve and expand the primary care workforce under the Prevention and Public Health Fund of the Affordable Care Act. Another $67 million in Health Profession Opportunity Grants will provide low-income individuals with education, training and supportive services that will help them prepare to enter and advance in careers in the healthcare sector.
See the HHS Website for more information about the Affordable Care Act and a breakdown of these grants by state.

Break the Chain of Tobacco Addiction: New FDA Regulations and Resources to Keep Tobacco Out of the Hands of America's Youth
On June 22, a series of regulations went into effect that restrict the sale, distribution, and promotion of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products to make them less accessible and less attractive to kids. To help raise awareness of the regulations among key stakeholders, the FDA has launched an ongoing education campaign.
To learn more about the campaign go to: www.fda.gov/BreakTheChain

ICC Mourns the Loss of Long-time Supporter Dr. Dorothy I. Height
Dorothy I. Height, a pillar of the civil rights movement and long-time supporter of the Intercultural Cancer Council (ICC) died of natural causes on April 20, 2010. She was 98 years of age. Known as the founding matriarch of the civil rights movement, Dr. Height fought for equal rights for people from all backgrounds and women. Her work on behalf of racial justice and gender equality spanned more than six decades. She was energetic in her efforts to overcome gender bias and much of her work preceded the women’s rights movement. She witnessed first-hand John F. Kennedy’s signing of the Equal Pay Act in 1963. “She believed that you had to be a feminist as well as an African. You had to play more than one role in the empowerment of black people,” said Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, (D-D.C.) President Barack Obama was quoted as saying “She led the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) for 40 years, and served as the only woman at the highest level of the civil rights movement, witnessing every march and milestone along the way.” Secretary of Labor Alexis N. Herman, a close friend who has been running the day to day operations at the NCNW called Dr. Height “a national treasure who lived life abundantly. She will be greatly missed, not only by those of us who knew her well, but by the countless beneficiaries of her enduring legacy.” A long-time supporter of the Intercultural Cancer Council, Dr. Height was the co-chair of the ICC’s April 2008 Symposium on Minorities, the Medically Underserved & Cancer.  An award in her honor and bearing Dr. Height’s name was awarded at each of the Symposia to recognize individuals with significant achievements in addressing the unequal burden of cancer borne by under-represented individuals.  Co-Founder of the ICC, Dr. Lovell A. Jones stated “This is truly a loss for the nation.”   Fellow ICC Co-Founder, Dr. Armin D. Weinberg expressed “She helped us all see our way to a better world by finding the good in each other and celebrating it!  Her influence and contribution to our collective efforts now live on through each of us.”

C-Change Launches Cancer Core Competency Toolkit
(July 16, 2009) C-Change announces the launch of a web-based Cancer Core Competency toolkit (www.cancercorecompetency.org) providing unlimited access to methods, tools, and insights for strengthening the cancer knowledge and skills for non-oncology health professionals. Users can follow step-by-step process for designing and implementing a competency-based program to meet the needs of their profession or organization. A paper-based toolkit including a CD of related materials can also be ordered by visiting the web site. C-Change is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations that assembles cancer leaders from the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.
For additional information regarding the Cancer Core Competency Initiative, please contact Sabrina Tyus, Project Associate at styus@c-changetogether.org or, 202-756-1345.