The African-Caribbean Cancer Consortium was formed in May 2006 to further the study of viral, genetic, environmental and lifestyle risk factors for cancer in populations of African descent.
Camille Ragin PhD, MPH is responsible for the establishment and development of the consortium. A growing number of dedicated researchers based in the United States, Africa and the Caribbean have joined.
We aim to:
- Address a significant need for studies related to cancer for individuals of African descent
- Advance scientific knowledge of the roles that viral, environmental and genetic risk factors play in cancer etiology among minority populations
- Translate the results to targeted interventions that will reduce the incidence and mortality of cancer in these minority populations
In order to accomplish these aims it is our mission to facilitate multi-centered studies by providing a forum for networking and collaboration and by building research capacity through training. In addition, we offer specialized services such as grant and manuscript review to investigators in low to mid income countries.
Consortium Design
The Consortium consists of working groups devoted to the investigation of specific types of cancer. Initially, we will concentrate on breast, prostate, cervical and head and neck cancers.
For each working group, two Co-Leaders (one US investigator and another from either the Caribbean or Africa) will solicit proposals from and coordinate between the AC3 research investigators in their particular working group. All AC3 research proposals will be submitted to these individuals.
The working group leaders will facilitate discussions related to feasibility of the proposed studies between the investigators in their particular group. while breast, prostate, cervical and head and neck cancers are currently our primary focus we intend to broaden our investigations in the future.
Working Group Leaders
Cervical Cancer - Camille Ragin (US); Norma MacFarlane-Anderson (Caribbean)
Head and Neck Cancer - Camille Ragin (US); Dionne Dames (Caribbean)
Breast Cancer - Emanuela Taioli (US); Michael Okobia (Africa)
Prostate Cancer - LaCreis Kidd (US); Robin Roberts (Caribbean)
Advisory Board
Timothy R. Rebbeck, PhD, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Emmanuel A. Taylor, MSc, DrPH, CRHD/National Cancer Institute
Doanld S. Burke, MD, Dean, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh
Raleigh Butler, MD, University of the West Indies, The Bahamas
AC3 Funding Support
- NIH/NCI R13 CA130596A (PI C. Ragin):African-Caribbean Consortium Conference
- NIH 1 KL2 RR024154-01 (PI C. Ragin): University of Pittsburgh Clinical and Translational Science Institute - Clinical Research Scholars Program
- DOD PC094423 (Co-PIs C. Ragin and E. Taioli) Prostate Cancer Epidemiology Undergraduate Summer Training Program
