The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center has a unique Cancer Information Service that began in 1987 and expanded to a nationwide service in 1990. Since 1987 the Cancer Information Service staff has responded to more than 112,954 contacts, including 17,902 walk-ins, and distributed more than 1.8 million pieces of literature. The service receives contacts from every state and has reached 55 countries through a toll-free number (1-800-237-1225), the Cancer Center/Cancer Information Service World Wide Web site (www.uihealthcare.com/cis), and e-mail communications (cancer-information@uiowa.edu).

The Cancer Information Service is responsible for the public educational outreach of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. The target population is all survivors throughout the state of Iowa, western Illinois and northern Missouri. The scope of activity includes:

• answering any question about cancer
• researching, writing, and publishing cancer patient education pamphlets and booklets (over 60 to date)
• teaching classes
• making presentations to junior high and high school students, churches, support groups, community service organizations, retirees and wellness groups
• developing interactive exhibits for health, county and state fairs
• screening statewide applicants for participation in prevention clinical trials such as the breast and prostate cancer prevention trials and the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial
• responding to questions regarding Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center treatment trials
• creating, managing, and facilitating a statewide online cancer support group
• writing monthly cancer prevention tips for the University of Iowa Wellness web site and Iowa newspapers
• creating and coordinating the Smoking Teens educational program

The Cancer Information Service was recently awarded a Lance Armstrong Foundation grant where Holden Cancer Center staff will offer educational sessions in 15 southeast Iowa communities through the Iowa Communications Network.

Staff members are part of the Iowa Consortium for Comprehensive Cancer Control, a statewide effort supported by the state of Iowa and the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. The consortium includes more than 50 organizations from across the state of Iowa interested in cancer control. The Cancer Information Service is a major contributor to the consortium and was responsible for establishing an information portal (www.canceriowa.org) on behalf of the consortium that provides information on cancer resources across the state.

In the community, the Cancer Information Service staff has worked with the Johnson County Visiting Nurses, Mercy Hospital, the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, Hospice of Iowa City, and the area senior center to provide programs and events. Collaborative efforts in Iowa include projects with the Iowa Department of Public Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa, the American Cancer Society State Task Force on Colorectal Cancer Awareness, and Iowa State University Extension Service, as well as many community organizations throughout the state. On the national level, as a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Cancer Center we are members of the Cancer Patient Education Network (CPEN). 

Cancer Information Service staff member are:

• Joan Felkner, BA, MA; Administrative Coordinator
• Pat Crile, Project Assistant
• Keri L. N. Mercer, BS, MPH, CHES; Cancer Information Specialist
• Chante Thurmond, BS, BSN; American Cancer Society Patient Navigator

• Introduction
• Faculty Comments
• Cancer Information Service
• Highlights
• Brain
• Lung
• Prostate
• Registry Staff
• Research Articles
• Calendar Year Report (in pdf format)