Cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States (CDC).

  • Getting screening tests regularly may find breast, cervical, and colorectal (colon) cancers early, when treatment is likely to work best (CDC).
  • Avoiding ultraviolet rays through shade structures, protective clothing, and sunscreen can reduce the likelihood of developing skin cancer (CDC).
  • You can lower your risk for cancer by avoiding tobacco, protecting your skin, limiting the amount of alcohol you drink, and keeping a healthy weight (ACS).

Community Preventive Services Task Force Findings

Summary Table

This summary of CPSTF findings to increase cancer screening and prevent skin cancer can be used as a reference, included in presentations, or shared with colleagues.

Implementation Resources

Planning Guides

Evidence-Based Intervention Planning Guides
Developed by CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
These planning guides provide tips to help clinic staff implement the following CPSTF recommendations to increase screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer: client reminders, reducing structural barriers, provider reminders, provider assessment and feedback. Each planning guide includes a process flow diagram of the intervention theory; process evaluation metrics, outputs, and example measures; a list of resources needed to support implementation, such as partnerships, staff, and tools; lessons learned from studies included the Community Guide systematic reviews; and intervention components.

Action Guides

Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening and Promoting Screening Quality: An Action Guide for Engaging Employers and Professional Medical Organizations
Developed by CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control

Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening: An Action Guide for Working with Health Systems
Developed by CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control

Implementation Products

Health Systems Improvement Toolkit: A Guide to Cancer Screening in Indian Country [PDF – 4.16 MB]
Developed in collaboration between CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control and the National Indian Heath Board
This toolkit was developed to share best practices from American Indian and Alaska Native funded programs implementing CPSTF-recommended interventions—specifically in Tribal health systems working to increase high-quality, population-based breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings.

Implementation Science at a Glance
Developed by the National Cancer Institute

Presentations and Promotional Materials

Use these materials to share information about the CPSTF findings and Community Guide products with your community.

What Works Fact Sheets

Community Guide In Action: Stories from the Field

One Pagers

Community Guide News

Developed by The Community Guide

Presentations and Webinars

Cancer Prevention Interventions: Recommendation from the Community Preventive Service Task Force  (October 19, 2021)
Developed by The Community Guide and hosted by the Indian Health Service

Reaching Communities through Patient Navigation: Evidence for Action  (May 2, 2023)
Hosted by the American Cancer Society National Navigation Roundtable, the webinar features speakers from The Community Guide, the Professional Oncology Navigation Task Force, and CDC’s Community Guide Program and Division of Cancer Control and Prevention