Project Title: Texas Cancer Genetics Consortium – Education and Outreach Work Group

Abstract:

The Texas Cancer Genetics Consortium, (TCGC) Education & Communication Work Group supports development of model communication systems for activities of the Network (e.g., web sites, newsletters, patient education documents). It serves as a clearinghouse for available and relevant educational media for health care providers, researchers and Cancer Genetics Network (CGN) participants. The Work Group identifies educational issues that need evaluation and/or research attention. It collaborates with other working groups and committees to develop independent research projects. Amelie G. Ramirez, DrPH, and Kip Gallion, MA, principal and co-investigators for the project, also sit on the National Education and Communication Work Group, which represents all of the eight CGN centers.

PI:

  • Amelie G. Ramirez, DrPH, Professor of Medicine and Deputy Director of the Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine

Co-PI:

  • Kipling Gallion, MA, Assistant Professor of Medicine in Cancer Education at the Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine

Funding Institution:

National Cancer Institute, Texas Cancer Genetics Consortium

Funding Period:

5 yrs.– 2000-2004

Location/Service Area:

Nationwide

Collaborators/Co-sponsors:

Texas Cancer Genetics Consortium:

  • M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
  • The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • Cancer Therapy and Research Center
  • Baylor College of Medicine
  • The University of Texas Health Science Center at Southwestern

National Education and Community Work Group

  • Rocky Mountain Cancer Genetics Coalition
  • Northwest Cancer Genetics Center
  • Mid Atlantic Cancer Genetics Network
  • Carolina-Georgia Cancer Genetics Network Center
  • Texas Cancer Genetics Consortium
  • Georgetown University Medical Center – Cancer Genetics Network Center
  • University of Pennsylvania Cancer Genetics Network Center
  • UCI-UCSD Cancer Genetics Network Center

Goals:

To support the education and outreach activities of the TCGC.

Results:

Web sites, symposia, seminars, targeted lectures, and newsletters have all been developed in efforts to increase awareness and education about cancer genetics issues.

Potential Impact:

This project will likely lead to an increase in education regarding cancer genetic issues among professionals, patients, families, and the general public.

Publications:

Technical Reports:

  • Buena Vida Focus Group Results

Manuscripts Under Development:

  • The Art and Science of Minority Recruitment in Cancer Research, Hughes C, Peterson S, Ramirez AG, Gallion K, McDonald P, Sugg Skinner C, Bowen D
  • Predictors of interest in hereditary cancer risk information among cancer genetic network registry participants, Wenzel L, Ziogas A, Olsen S, Bowen D, Sugg-Skinner C, Venne V, Hughes-Halberg C, Gallion K.
  • Toward a national genetics education plan: Support from the Cancer Genetics Network, Bowen D, Olsen S, Gallion K, Ramirez AG.