NCI/CGH Project ECHO® Program
The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) mission is to lead, conduct, and support cancer research across the nation to advance scientific knowledge and help all people live longer, healthier lives. NCI’s mission was underscored by the National Cancer Act of 1971 which passed with specific language for cancer control and dissemination of evidence.
To advance NCI priorities internationally, the Center for Global Health (CGH) supports international research collaborations and global health diplomacy and facilitates evidence dissemination through its cancer control programs. CGH cancer control activities aim to: (1) increase awareness and utilization of available scientific evidence on cancer prevention and control; (2) provide guidance on using existing evidence to inform policy and strengthen research capacity; and (3) stimulate collaborative and diverse partnerships to support effective implementation of cancer control plans. To expand the reach of these activities and maximize resources, CGH explores opportunities to incorporate virtual knowledge exchange and community of practice models.
In 2017, CGH partnered with the University of New Mexico ECHO Institute and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (the first Oncology ECHO Superhub) to provide the Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) model of tele-mentoring as a pathway to facilitate the translation of research and to ensure evidence-based policies and programs. The program was initially designed as an extension of existing collaborative networks such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Cervical Cancer Expert Group and the NCI Cancer Control Leadership Forums for National Cancer Control Planning. The program has since expanded to include topics such as increased understanding and utilization of the phased implementation strategies outlined in the Knowledge Summaries for Comprehensive Breast Cancer Control (KSBC). The NCI/CGH Project ECHO Program brings together individuals engaged in cancer research and cancer control efforts to exchange knowledge relevant to research, evidence dissemination, and cancer control planning.
Project ECHO is a program designed to use technology to leverage scarce resources, share “best practices” to reduce disparities, apply case-based learning to master complexity, and evaluate and monitor outcomes.
To learn more about the NCI/CGH Project ECHO Program and the Global Cancer Control Program:
- Read our Spotlight blog Igniting the Cancer Community: CGH at MetaECHO 2019.
- Check out our article in Cancer Control 2019: Use of telementoring to advance cancer control: The 2018 Africa Cancer Research and Control ECHO Programme. While you are there, take a look at the full array of articles on global cancer prevention, treatment, research, and training/education.
- Check out our article Promoting evidence-based practices for breast cancer care through web-based collaborative learning in the Journal of Cancer Policy, which we co-authored with ECHO participants from the Knowledge Summaries for Comprehensive Breast Cancer Control ECHO.
As part of the International Cancer Control Partnership (ICCP), NCI Center for Global Health is supporting the ICCP Cancer Control Project ECHO Program focused on the effective utilization of evidence to inform the implementation of cancer control plans. Visit the ICCP Portal for additional information, access to past session recordings, and updates on the request for applications.
Contact Mishka Kohli Cira, MPH, Public Health Advisor at mishka.cira@nih.gov.
NCI/CGH Project ECHO Programs (listed by launch date)

References
Duncan, K., Cira, M., & Ng’ang’a, A. (2019). Use of telementoring to advance cancer control: The 2018 Africa Cancer Research and Control ECHO® Program. Cancer Control 2019, p. 69-74.
Cira, M. K., Zujewski, J. A., Dvaladze, A., Brand, N. R., & Vogel, A. L. (2019). Knowledge summaries for comprehensive breast cancer control: Feedback from target audiences in Kenya. Journal of Global Oncology, 5. Retrieved from https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JGO.18.00119
Romero, Y., Trapani, D., Johnson, S., Tittenbrun, Z., Given, L., Hohman, K., ... & Ilbawi, A. M. (2018). National cancer control plans: A global analysis. The Lancet Oncology, 19. Retrieved from https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(18)30681-8/fulltext
Kostelecky, B., & Stevens, L. M. (2018). Cancer control planning by international cancer control partnerships: An exploration of planning practices and resources in diverse settings. The Lancet Global Health, 6. Retrieved from https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(18)30096-2/fulltext
Frech, S., Muha, C. A., Stevens, L. M., Trimble, E. L., Brew, R., Puricelli, D. P., ... & Kostelecky, B. (2018). Perspectives on strengthening cancer research and control in Latin America through partnerships and diplomacy: Experience of the National Cancer Institute’s Center for Global Health. Journal of Global Oncology, 4. Retrieved from http://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JGO.17.00149
Singh, T. Pearlman, P. C., & Kostelecky, B. (2017). Supporting evidence-based national cancer control planning: The Asia-Pacific Phase II Leadership Forum. Journal of Cancer Policy, 12. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcpo.2017.03.002
Galassi, A., & Kostelecky, B. (2016). Role of nurses in the creation of national cancer care plans in low- and middle-income countries. Oncology Nursing Forum, 43. Retrieved from https://onf.ons.org/onf/43/6/role-nurses-creation-national-cancer-care-plans-low-and-middle-income-countries
Pearlman, P. C., Vinson, C., Singh, T., Stevens, L. M., & Kostelecky, B. (2016). Multi-stakeholder partnerships: Breaking down barriers to effective cancer-control planning and implementation in low- and middle-income countries. Science & Diplomacy, 5. Retrieved from http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/article/2016/multi-stakeholderpartnerships
Torode, J., Collins, K., Morton-Doherty, R., Stevens, L., & Vinson, C. (2015). The International Cancer Control Partnership: Building capacity in cancer control planning. Cancer Control 2015. Retrieved from http://www.cancercontrol.info/cc2015/the-international-cancer-control-partnership-building-capacity-in-cancer-control-planning/
Cira, M.K., Tesfay, R., Zujewski, J.A., Sinulingga, D.T., Aung, S., Mwakatobe, K., Lasebikan, N., Nkegoum, B., Duncan, K., Dvaladze, A. (2020). Promoting evidence-based practices for breast cancer care through web-based collaborative learning. Journal of Cancer Policy. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcpo.2020.100242