Scaling what works: a collaborative capacity-building program tailored to optimize resources and scale evidence-based interventions for cancer prevention and control

Authors

• Mary Wangen, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
• Jingle Xu, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
• Amy Tran, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
• Elizabeth A. Rohan, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
• Prajakta Adsul, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
• Cam Escoffery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
• Renée M. Ferrari, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC
• Nikki Hayes, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
• Cari Herington, Nevada Cancer Coalition, Reno, NV
• Katie Jones, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Des Moines, IA
• Jaron Hoani King, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
• Julie Kranick, New York University, New York, NY
• Alyssa LaMonica, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
• Rebecca J. Lee, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
• Meghan C. O’Leary, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
• Malesa Pereira, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
• Mary Puckett, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
• Shixiu Ricardo, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
• Rogelio Robles-Morales, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
• Kelly Smith, Rhode Island Department of Health, Providence, RI
• Lisa P. Spees, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
• Amy Thompson, Nevada Cancer Coalition, Reno, NV
• Stephanie B. Wheeler, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
• Nathaniel Woodard, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
• Alison T. Brenner, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
• Rachel Hirschey, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-3-2026

Publication Title

Cancer Causes and Control

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the Scaling What Works (SWW) program, which was developed to support the scale-up of projects that implement evidence-based cancer prevention and control interventions (CPC EBIs) across award recipients (hereafter, “awardees”) of the National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP). SWW projects included (1) Project ECHO and patient navigation, (2) Addressing risk factors for adult cancers during childhood, and (3) Increasing receipt of ovarian cancer care from gynecologic oncologists. In this evaluation, we sought to understand how tailored training and technical assistance (TA) can facilitate the implementation of CPC EBIs in NCCCP settings. Methods: We used a mixed-methods approach, comprising a needs assessment with focus groups and information sessions. Subsequent training and TA included a symposium and four virtual learning collaborative sessions. The evaluation included pre- and post-surveys to assess changes in participants’ confidence and satisfaction alongside qualitative feedback to refine the program. Results: The SWW program reached 89 individuals across 40 NCCCP awardees. Participants reported significant improvements in their confidence to implement, adapt, and sustain EBIs, with increases observed in all domains assessed. Feedback from the symposium and learning collaborative sessions indicated high satisfaction and notable progress in addressing barriers related to EBI implementation. Conclusion: The SWW program effectively addressed key challenges in scaling CPC interventions by providing tailored, interactive training and TA. Further engagement and continued capacity-building support are recommended to enhance the long-term impact of SWW across the NCCCP. The findings underscore the importance of investing in tailored, large-scale capacity-building to support the scale-up of evidence-based CPC approaches.

PubMed ID

41931155

Volume

37

Issue

5

Rights

© The Author(s) 2026

Recommended Citation

Wangen, Mary; Xu, Jingle; Tran, Amy; Rohan, Elizabeth A.; Adsul, Prajakta; Escoffery, Cam; Ferrari, Renée M.; Hayes, Nikki; Herington, Cari; Jones, Katie; King, Jaron Hoani; Kranick, Julie; LaMonica, Alyssa; Lee, Rebecca J.; O’Leary, Meghan C.; Pereira, Malesa; Puckett, Mary; Ricardo, Shixiu; Robles-Morales, Rogelio; Smith, Kelly; Spees, Lisa P.; Thompson, Amy; Wheeler, Stephanie B.; Woodard, Nathaniel; Brenner, Alison T.; and Hirschey, Rachel, "Scaling what works: a collaborative capacity-building program tailored to optimize resources and scale evidence-based interventions for cancer prevention and control" (2026). School of Public Health Faculty Publications. 572.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/soph_facpubs/572
10.1007/s10552-026-02160-1