About Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences
The Cancer Prevention & Population Science (CPPS) program at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute conducts research to define etiologic factors underlying health disparities in the urban-rural continuum.
Learn MoreMeeting Time
The Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Program meets one Tuesday every month at noon. Please contact Laura Rakes for more information atalrakes@uams.edu
Mission Statement
The main mission of this program is to address cancer health disparity in Arkansas. The overall cancer incidences of Arkansans are similar to those of the population of the United States at large. However, cancer mortality rates are higher among Arkansans. Documented lower screening rates for breast, cervical, and colon cancers likely explain such disparity at least partially. Access and quality of care after cancer diagnosis may also be a contributing factor given the largely rural nature of the state. The cancer types with most significant health care disparities in Arkansas have been identified, but are not limited to, breast, cervical, colon, lung, and prostate.
Specific Aims
- Reduce cancer incidence and progression by identifying etiology (molecular) and risk (environmental, social, and cultural) factors as well as developing and implementing novel strategies/interventions to reduce cancer risk and improve cancer outcomes.
- Decrease regional cancer disparities through developing and testing implementation methods of evidence-based dissemination strategies designed to promote cancer prevention and early detection.
- Understand the role of immune system in cancer development, and develop and test immune-mediated interventions for preventing cancers and recurrence of cancers as well as reducing progression of cancers in a watchful waiting state.
Our Approach
Our approach is team-oriented and translationally based that covers the entire cancer continuum — primary prevention, early detection, laboratory research, clinical trials and applications, diagnosis and treatment, quality of life, and survivorship.
Our research activities include evaluating primary and secondary prevention measures, understanding molecular factors associated with the development and optimal management of cancer, and assessing community-based strategies to improve cancer outcomes.
Research in the CPPS program is organized according to our social ecological model that progresses from discovery to intervention to dissemination.
The program has three focus areas:
- Reduce cancer incidence and progression by identifying etiology (molecular) and risk (environmental, social and cultural) factors, as well as developing and implementing novel strategies/interventions to reduce cancer risk and improve cancer outcomes.
- Decrease regional cancer disparities through developing and testing implementation methods of evidence-based dissemination strategies designed to promote cancer prevention and early detection.
- Understand the role of immune system in cancer development, and develop and test immune-mediated interventions for preventing cancers and recurrence of cancers, as well as reducing progression of cancers in a watchful waiting state.
Program Co-Leaders
