This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Chang, S. Articles by Trentham-Dietz, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Chang, S. Articles by Trentham-Dietz, A.

The Characteristics and Training of Professionals in Cancer Prevention and Control: A Survey of the American Society for Preventive Oncology

¹ Office of Preventive Oncology, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland; ² Center for Health Studies, Group Health Cooperative, Seattle, Washington; ³ Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York; ⁴ Columbia University Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York; and ⁵ University of Wisconsin Department of Population Health Sciences, Madison, Wisconsin

Requests for reprints: Shine Chang, Office of Preventive Oncology, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, 6120 Executive Boulevard, Suite T-41 MSC 7105, Bethesda, MD 20892-7105. Phone: (301) 496-8640; Fax: (301) 480-2669. E-mail: ChangSh{at}mail.nih.gov

To secure continuous stewardship in the field of cancer prevention requires in part training the next generation of scientists and practitioners effectively. We characterized members and meeting registrants of the American Society for Preventive Oncology and assessed their career needs using an electronic survey. From 380 valid email addresses, 233 respondents (61%) included 143 physicians and 81 respondents with other doctorates. More than one third worked at cancer centers (36%), while others worked at schools of medicine (25%) and public health (17%) and other institutions and businesses (22%). Among all respondents, 52% reported having at least one mentor but time spent advising by mentors was generally low. Many were less than satisfied with the amount of mentoring received (44%) and 52% reported interest in matching with an American Society for Preventive Oncology mentor. All were interested in grantsmanship training but junior and senior respondents differed in their preference for other topics, reflecting needs that change with career advancement. Other analyses focused on aspects of institutional commitment, which did not differ by type of degree, even after age adjustment. However, by gender and degree, men were completely supported by institutional funds more often than women among non-medical doctorates [age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 3.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-9.8] but not among physicians (age-adjusted OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 0.5-3.1). Men were also more often in tenure-track positions than women (age-adjusted OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1-3.3). In sum, addressing the career development needs of future leaders in the field by providing career and mentoring sessions at annual meetings may help individuals in the field and enrich the discipline overall.

Key Words: professional membership society • career development • preventive oncology • membership characteristics

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. S.M. Buist, P. A. Kanetsky, J. L. Studts, L. Li, M. B. Terry, A. Trentham-Dietz, and S. Chang Recruiting and Training Leadership through Professional Societies: A Report from the American Society of Preventive Oncology Junior Members Interest Group. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., July 1, 2006; 15(7): 1422 - 1424. [Full Text] [PDF]