Subsequent Cancer Prevention and Control Activities Among Low- and Middle-Income Country Participants in the US National Cancer Institute’s Summer Curriculum in Cancer Prevention

Abstract

PURPOSE: A dramatic shift in the burden of cancer from high-income countries to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is predicted to occur over the next few decades. An effective response requires a range of approaches to capacity building in cancer prevention and control in LMICs, including training of cancer prevention and control professionals. Toward this end, the US National Cancer Institute includes LMIC-based participants in its Summer Curriculum in Cancer Prevention, which is an annual, short-term in-person training program. METHODS: In 2015 and 2016, the US National Cancer Institute fielded a survey to all Summer Curriculum alumni who were based in LMICs when they participated in the program, between 1998 and 2015. Its aims were to learn about subsequent engagement in cancer prevention and control in LMICs and attribution of activities/accomplishments to participation in the Summer Curriculum in Cancer Prevention. RESULTS: Respondents (N = 138) worked in academia/research (n = 61), health care (n = 41), and health policy/Ministries of Health (n = 36) in all six world regions. Most respondents (90.6%) worked in the same LMIC as when they participated in the Summer Curriculum in Cancer Prevention. When asked about activities/accomplishments completed as a result of participation, 92.8% reported at least one cancer prevention and control practice activity/accomplishment, 81.2% reported at least one cancer research activity/accomplishment, and 44.2% reported authoring one or more peer-reviewed publications. Reported ways that the Summer Curriculum in Cancer Prevention contributed to these activities/accomplishments were emphasizing a public health approach; focusing on research priorities, methods, and scientific writing; and highlighting the importance of research and publications. Finally, 79.7% of respondents reported using Summer Curriculum in Cancer Prevention materials to train others. CONCLUSION: These findings have implications for the design of future training initiatives for LMIC-based cancer prevention and control professionals.