Prevention

Developing and supporting prevention-related public health issues from a research perspective is another key component of the Consortium. Consortium-sponsored activities have included workshops, conference sessions, and seminars.

Workshops organized by the Prevention Working Group (PRV WG) include Smoking Cessation and Obesity and Cancer. Findings have been provided to Ministry-level Task Forces in Ireland and Northern Ireland to help guide health and public health policy. Prevention research was also featured at the 3^rd All-Ireland Cancer Conference held in Belfast in 2006.

The PRV WG has also contributed to the development of a cadre of prevention professionals through its support of the NCI Summer Curriculum in Cancer Prevention and NCI Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program (CPFP) programs. To date, over 150 cancer scientists from across Ireland have completed the NCI Summer Curriculum courses in Bethesda, Maryland, and six have been awarded CPFP fellowships.

Dr. Fenton Howell is chair of the PRV WG for 2009.

PRV WG Objectives

• To enhance coordination and cooperation in research and practice in cancer prevention (broadly conceived to include primary prevention (i.e. the identification and removal of carcinogens), screening and early detection, chemoprevention, biomarker research, molecular prevention research, and research on lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise).
• To build capacity on the island through education and training opportunities such as workshops on the island.
• To advocate for island participation in the NCI Summer Curriculum in Cancer Prevention courses.
• To facilitate the NCI Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program for island researchers.
• To develop and support prevention-related public health issues from a research perspective as they relate to the island of Ireland.
• To assist in strategic planning for the development of cancer prevention research on the island.

To learn more about how you can become involved with PRV Working Group activities, contact our Help Desk.