Grant Details
Grant Number: |
3P20CA095856-07S1 Interpret this number |
Primary Investigator: |
Hornik, Robert |
Organization: |
University Of Pennsylvania |
Project Title: |
Penn's Center of Excellence in Cancer Communication Research |
Fiscal Year: |
2009 |
Abstract
Penn's CECCR II builds on the substantial success of CECCR I which focused on the role of public
information in cancer-related decisions. The three major research projects have been fully realized as
planned; we have provided pilot funding for 21 projects; published 47 papers; received 11 follow-on
grants; 'graduated' 19 young investigators, post-docs and doctoral students who have gone on to new
positions. We have built strong interdisciplinary working relationships between communication,
behavioral science and cancer control scholars. Penn's CECCR II expands the CECCR I focus: its
major theme is the interaction of public communication and clinical services as they both affect cancerrelated
outcomes. We propose three major projects: Project One builds on our cohort of 2010 breast,
prostate and colon cancer patients, adding Medicare claims information and a follow-up survey to
assess the influences on and the health outcomes of patient-clinician communication up to three years
post-diagnosis. Project Two will undertake an experiment with 300 chronic smokers studying the effects
of advertisements designed to drive smokers to smoking cessation (and to cessation programs). Its
major question is whether the all-too-common inclusion of smoking cues in those ads creates smoking
urges that work against their success. Project Three focuses on the development of theory-based
messages to encourage eligible people to ask their physicians for colorectal screening, and, once
scheduled, to follow through and get the scheduled test. Based on the Integrative Model, the project
has four phases: an elicitation study, a 2000 person survey, four message experiments with online
samples, and a full field experiment with patients in the Penn Health System. A major innovation in
CECCR II is the inclusion of a Message Design Core, a rapid and efficient message testing lab which
brings cutting edge theory and methods to message development, The Training and Development
Cores will be crucial to the Center's success, supporting young investigators, post-docs and doctoral
students in substantial numbers as they build careers in cancer communication. A Translation to
Practice Core linked to the Abramson Cancer Center magnifies opportunities for results to be adopted.
Publications
None. See parent grant details.