Women Speak Out About Gynecologic Cancers

Picture collage of women

Gynecologic health issues may be hard to talk about for some women. If this includes you, let’s change that starting with Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month. First, get the facts. It’s important to learn the symptoms of gynecologic cancers, be aware of changes in your body that aren’t normal for you, and get screened for cervical cancer. Next, find words of wisdom to inspire you. For each type of gynecologic cancer, here are personal survivor stories shared by women across the country.

When gynecologic cancers are found early, treatment works best. Get more information about gynecologic cancer symptoms and early detection from CDC’s Inside Knowledge campaign.

Learn More

What to Know About Prostate Cancer Risk

African American man sitting in a park

Men, as you get older, it’s important to be aware of your prostate health. Age is the most common factor that increases your risk of developing prostate cancer. The risk is higher for African American men and men who have a family history of prostate cancer. Now that you know about these risks, prepare to take action. You can get regular health checkups and talk with your doctor about the possible benefits and harms of screening. Lorenzo, a prostate cancer survivor, shares his story and shows how these actions made a difference for his health. You can find more information about prostate cancer and options for screening and treatment from Talk to Nathan, an interactive tool.

Learn More

Moving Cancer Surveillance Data to the Cloud

Laptops and tablets form a circle around a globe

Cancer data tell public health experts which groups of people are getting cancer and how cancer rates change over time. Getting information about cancer faster can provide a more up-to-date picture of cancer trends as they are happening. This can help researchers and public health experts make decisions faster to save lives. CDC is focused on making this a reality with data modernization to strengthen and protect health. Data modernization means moving data from outdated separate computer systems to modern cloud-based systems on the Internet. The National Program of Cancer Registries is developing a new cloud-based platform specifically for cancer.

The Cancer Surveillance Cloud-based Computing Platform will make cancer data reporting faster and easier for cancer registries. Get the full story on our data modernization initiative.

Learn More

New Blog Breaks Down the Challenges for Life After Cancer

Woman talking with a health care worker

Cancer survivors and their health care providers have many things to consider when transitioning from active cancer treatment to after-treatment care. A recent study looks at the challenges new cancer survivors face as they learn to adapt to life after a cancer diagnosis. The goal was to identify key areas where survivor resources could be improved. A new blog post features the study’s three authors who discuss the resources and actions to help cancer survivors live healthier lives.

Webinars to Watch!

20 Years of the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network: Past, Present and Future

In 2002, CDC and the National Cancer Institute collaborated to launch the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN), a thematic research network within CDC’s Prevention Research Center Program. A subset of funded Prevention Research Centers and affiliated academic investigators work with public health practitioners and community partners to translate research into practice to reduce cancer disparities and promote health equity. This webinar will celebrate the CPCRN’s 20th anniversary by highlighting tools and programs, discussing works in progress, and exploring areas for research.

Join us on Thursday, September 22 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. ET.

The Life-Course Effects of Childhood Adversity: Toxic Stress, Resilience, and the Case for Trauma-Informed Care

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors in collaboration with CDC’s Cancer Prevention Across the Lifespan workgroup will host a webinar featuring Stan Sonu, MD, MPH. Dr. Sonu will discuss the importance of recognizing stigma and encouraging social connectedness to address the life-course effects of childhood trauma. Attendees may be interested in reading a related paper by Sonu and colleagues that was published in Preventive Medicine titled, “Adverse childhood experiences and the onset of chronic disease in young adulthood.” You can also view the previous two webinars in the series:

Toxic Stress: Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Mental Health and Chronic Disease (Rob Anda, MD and James Marks, MD, MPH)
State Actions to Address Adverse Childhood Experiences (Dave Ellis and Jessica Wallace)

Join us on Tuesday, September 27 from 2:00 to 3:30 pm ET.

Research Spotlight

Disparities in psychosocial distress screening and management of lung and ovarian cancer survivors examines the extent to which ovarian and lung cancer survivors received distress screening required by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) and whether disparities exist based on diagnosis, sociodemographic factors, or location such as urban or rural. The study used electronic health records and reviewed distress screening documentation and follow-up services provided.

Did You Know?

If you have a family history of breast, ovarian, uterine, or colorectal cancer, you may have a higher risk for developing these cancers.
Each year, central cancer registries in the United States collect information about more than 1.7 million new cancer cases.