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Comprehensive cancer control planning in the Pacific: the Cancer Council of the Pacific Islands a multi-national regional coalition

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Abstract

Introduction

In the early 1990s, a comprehensive cancer control (CCC) approach was developed in the United States (US). In 2003, the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) adopted the CCC approach through a regional coalition, the Cancer Council of the Pacific Islands (CCPI). Using the CCC approach, the CCPI developed jurisdiction-specific cancer coalitions and initiated their respective cancer plans.

Methods

The evolution of the CCC approach and the history of the CCPI regional coalition are reviewed. The outcomes of the regional approach for cancer control in the USAPI are described to illustrate the possibilities, value-added and innovation of using a CCC strategy in a multi-national coalition based in a resource-limited environment.

Results

The CCC approach enabled the CCPI to (1) harmonize cancer control efforts between the six USAPI jurisdictions, (2) represent the USAPI cancer needs as a single voice, and (3) develop a regional cancer control strategy. Outcomes include (1) a regional cancer registry, (2) three sequential regional CCC plans, (3) leveraged resources for the USAPI, (4) enhanced on-site technical assistance and training, (5) improved standards for cancer screening, (6) evidence-based cancer control interventions adapted for the USAPI.

Conclusion

The regional CCPI coupled with the CCC approach is an effective engine of change. The CCC strategies enabled navigation of the political, geographic, cultural, and epidemiologic Pacific environment. The regional partners have been able to harmonize cancer control efforts in resource-limited settings. Regional cancer coalitions may be effective in the global arena for cancer control between communities, states, or countries.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the individuals who were instrumental in founding the CCPI in 2003. They are Dr. Harold Freeman (NCI), Dr. Johnny Hedson (Pohnpei, FSM), Dr. Victor Tofaeono (AS), Dr. Victor Ngaden (deceased—Yap, FSM), Wincener David (Pohnpei, FSM), Dr. Kamal Gunawardane (RMI), Dr. Richter Yow (Yap, FSM), Dr. Livinson Taulung (Kosrae, FSM), Dr. Robin Shearer (CNMI), Dr. Sheldon Riklon (RMI), Jocelyn Songsong (CNMI), Margaret Sesepasara (AS), Dr. Vita Skilling (Kosrae, FSM), Yorah Demei (ROP), Dr. Francisca Soaladaob (ROP), Dr. Kino Ruben (Chuuk, FSM), and Rosalie Zabala (deceased—Guam).

Funding

This publication was supported by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cooperative Agreement Numbers 17NU58DP006312 (Pacific Regional Central Cancer Registry 2017–2022), NU58DP006335 (American Samoa CCC 2017–2022), NU58DP006348 (CNMI CCC 2017–2022), NU58DP006269 (Guam CCC 2017–2022), NU58DP006303 (FSM CCC 2017–2022), NU58DP006336 (RMI CCC 2017–2022), NU58DP006289 (Palau CCC 2017–2022), NU58DP005810 (REACH 2014–2018), DP003906 (PRCCR 2012–2017), DP000976 (PRCCR 2007–2012), DP000777 (American Samoa CCC 2012–2017), DP00847 (CNMI CCC 2012–2017), DP000781 (Guam CCC 2012–2017), DP000779 (FSM CCC 2012–2017), DP000826 (RMI CCC 2012–2017), and DP003939 (Palau CCC 2012–2017), along with the National Cancer Institute 2U54CA143727. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Cancer Institute, or the Department of Health and Human Services.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i, 651 Ilalo Street, MEB 224, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA

    Neal A. Palafox, Lee E. Buenconsejo-Lum & Janos Baksa

  2. Population Sciences in the Pacific, University of Hawai’i Cancer Center, 701 Ilalo Street, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA

    Neal A. Palafox

  3. Strategic Health Concepts, 14035 West 86th Drive, Arvada, CO, 80005, USA

    Leslie Given & Karin Hohman

  4. Cancer Council of the Pacific Islands, Tamuning, GU, United States, c/o Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i, 651 Ilalo Street, MEB 224, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA

    John Ray Taitano

  5. Emeritus Member of Cancer Council of the Pacific Islands, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, c/o Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i, 651 Ilalo Street, MEB 224, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA

    Johnny Hedson

  6. Emeritus Member of Cancer Council of the Pacific Islands, Calgary, Alberta Canada, c/o Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i, 651 Ilalo Street, MEB 224, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA

    Kamal Gunawardane

  7. Cancer Council of the Pacific Islands, Yap State Department of Health Services, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia, c/o Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i, 651 Ilalo Street, MEB 224, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA

    Martina Reichhardt

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  1. Neal A. Palafox
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  2. Leslie Given
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  7. Kamal Gunawardane
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  8. Janos Baksa
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  9. Martina Reichhardt
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Neal A. Palafox.

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Palafox, N.A., Given, L., Hohman, K. et al. Comprehensive cancer control planning in the Pacific: the Cancer Council of the Pacific Islands a multi-national regional coalition. Cancer Causes Control 29, 1287–1295 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-018-1115-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-018-1115-z

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