The Ohio Cancer Information Service: technology transfer on clinical trials and other measures of cancer control.
We examined trends in caller queries on tobacco, mammography, Pap tests, and clinical trials to the NCI-sponsored Cancer Information Service (CIS) of Ohio via its toll free telephone number (1-800-4-CANCER) during 1986-1991. Calls on NCI-approved clinical trials and treatment protocols tripled during the study period (from 6% in 1986 to 20% in 1991, p < 0.01) primarily due to counselor-initiated (proactive) recommendations and actions. Calls on breast cancer showed a significant increase whereas calls on respiratory system cancers showed a decline over the time period. There was also a dramatic increase in calls on mammography, reflecting the impact of national and local promotion of breast screening. Queries on tobacco use and Pap tests declined, perhaps due to a perceived saturation effect of public education on these two topics. Our results support the use of CIS as a technology transfer system.
Namboodiri
K K
KK
Ohio State University, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Department of Preventive Medicine, Columbus 43210-1240.
Fisher
J B
JB
Harris
R E
RE
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D008327:Mammography; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009820:Ohio; D012907:Smoking; D014626:Vaginal Smears