A key question in moving comprehensive cancer control (CCC) plans into action is, to what extent should the knowledge gained
from investments in cancer prevention and control research influence the actions taken by states, tribes, and territories
during implementation? Underlying this ‘should’ is the assumption that evidence-based approaches (i.e., a public health or
clinical intervention or policy that has resulted in improved outcomes when scientifically tested), when implemented in a
real-world setting, will increase the likelihood of improved outcomes. This article elucidates the barriers and opportunities
for integrating science with practice across the cancer control continuum. However, given the scope of CCC and the substantial
investment in generating new knowledge through science, it is difficult for any one agency, on its own, to make a sufficient
investment to ensure new knowledge is translated and implemented at a national, state, or local level. Thus, if greater demand
for evidence-based interventions and increased resources for adopting them are going to support the dissemination initiatives
described herein, new interagency partnerships must be developed to ensure that sufficient means are dedicated to integrating
science with service. Furthermore, for these collaborations to increase both in size and in frequency, agency leaders must
clearly articulate their support for these collaborative initiatives and explicitly recognize those collaborative efforts
that are successful. In this way, the whole (in this context, comprehensive cancer control) can become greater than the sum
of its parts.
Key words dissemination - implementation - knowledge transfer - comprehensive cancer control
The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Agency
for Healthcare Research and Quality, American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Cancer
Institute, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.