Cancer Control and Population Sciences

Mission

The goal of the Cancer Control and Population Sciences (CCPS) research program is to reduce the cancer burden in the UF Health Cancer Center's catchment area and beyond.

The catchment area is characterized by disproportionately higher cancer incidence and mortality rates than other regions in Florida. These disparities are evident in medically underserved populations, which include rural populations (16 out of 23 counties are rural), more than a quarter of racial/ethnic minority residents (26% underrepresented minorities, 16% of which are non-Hispanic Black and 10% Hispanic), and just under a quarter of older adults 65 years and older (23% in the catchment area versus 16.5% nationwide).

These hallmarks of the catchment area inform program science, which is unified by five CCPS priorities: 1) social determinants and cancer disparities; 2) smoking and other tobacco use; 3) molecular and imaging markers for screening and early detection; 4) obesity, energy balance and cancer; and 5) the intersection of cancer and aging. To capture the research strengths at UF, CCPS features 48 members from 20 departments and 10 of the 16 UF colleges (Liberal Arts and Sciences, Agricultural & Life Sciences, Engineering, Journalism & Communications, Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Health & Human Performance, Nursing, and Public Health & Health Professions).

CCPS research has expanded in the areas of cancer etiology, survivorship, aging and implementation science; addressed the needs of the catchment area and UF Health Cancer Center priority cancers (e.g., lung, breast, colorectal, HPV-related cancers); and impacted state policy, clinical practice and national guidelines. Collaborations with the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement have led to new funding and impactful publications. CCPS programmatic aims reflect the goal to translate observational discovery science into interventions and larger-scale dissemination and implementation. New extramural funding includes one team science grant (U01), 9 R01s, and a PCORI grant addressing the cancer burden in the catchment area.

Program Members

To request an update, please email ResearchDevelopment@cancer.ufl.edu.