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

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.

Advancing engagement and capacity for rural cancer control: a mixed-methods case study of a Community-Academic Advisory Board in the Appalachia region of Southwest Virginia

“…CCC initiatives can be overwhelming, particularly in rural, health disparate regions where epidemiological data and social determinants of health indicators suggest that nearly every cancer control strategy is a priority. Studies demonstrate that narrowing priorities in these situations are difficult [ 58 ]. In our case, the Virginia Cancer Plan has 12 goals that include about 46 objectives and 155 strategies [ 59 ].…”

Strengthening cancer control in the South Pacific through coalition-building: a co-design framework

“…The United States of America (USA) Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded the establishment of the Cancer Council of the Pacific Islands (CCPI) to facilitate a regional multi-national coalition of all USA-affiliated Pacific island jurisdictions in the early 2000s. 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 Since its inception, the CCPI has successfully developed effective cancer control strategies for the USA-affiliated islands, including national and regional registry establishment, population cancer screening, and workforce capacity development. 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 However, despite the existence of successful regional health-focused alliances, comprehensive and appropriate information detailing how to effectively scope and establish a multi-national or regional coalition is scarce.…”

“… 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 Since its inception, the CCPI has successfully developed effective cancer control strategies for the USA-affiliated islands, including national and regional registry establishment, population cancer screening, and workforce capacity development. 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 However, despite the existence of successful regional health-focused alliances, comprehensive and appropriate information detailing how to effectively scope and establish a multi-national or regional coalition is scarce.…”

Building a Cancer Coalition: A co-design framework for evaluating regionalism in the South Pacific

“…In the Paci c there exists precedence for regional comprehensive cancer control planning. The United States of America (USA) Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded the establishment of the Cancer Council of the Paci c Islands (CCPI) to facilitate a regional multinational coalition of all USA-a liated Paci c island jurisdictions in the early 2000s [25][26][27][28] . Since its inception, the CCPI has successfully developed effective cancer control strategies for the USA-a liated islands, including national and regional registry establishment, population cancer screening, and workforce capacity development [25][26][27][28] .…”

“…The United States of America (USA) Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded the establishment of the Cancer Council of the Paci c Islands (CCPI) to facilitate a regional multinational coalition of all USA-a liated Paci c island jurisdictions in the early 2000s [25][26][27][28] . Since its inception, the CCPI has successfully developed effective cancer control strategies for the USA-a liated islands, including national and regional registry establishment, population cancer screening, and workforce capacity development [25][26][27][28] . However, despite the existence of successful regional healthfocused alliances, comprehensive and appropriate information detailing how to effectively scope and establish a multi-national or regional coalition is scarce.…”