Research

Cancer Prevention

More than 30% of new cancer cases could be prevented through healthy lifestyle behaviors such as physical activity, a healthy diet, no smoking, no alcohol consumption and sun protection. In addition, cancer survivors benefit from a healthy lifestyle that aims at preventing recurrence, second primary cancers and other chronic diseases.
Cancer prevention at the NCT aims to use state-of-the-art methods and technologies to identify cancer risk factors and preventive strategies. Researchers at the NCT sites Dresden and Heidelberg contribute to Primary Prevention by targeting infection-related cancers, defining risk and preventive factors for a multitude of cancer types as well as establishing prevention activities on tobacco use and UV protection. In Secondary Prevention, NCT researchers focus on early detection and screening of colorectal cancer as well as in translating basic science research on human papillomavirus and mismatch repair-deficient colorectal cancer.

Research Profile Dresden

The NCT/UCC Prevention Center (PC) develops healthy lifestyle programs in the field of cancer prevention as well as cancer survivorship. To increase dissemination and implementation rates of the programs and with regard to the need for cost-effectiveness, flexible multimedia strategies are used.
To promote a sustainably healthy environment, the NCT/UCC Prevention Center supports kindergartens, schools, and athletes in implementing health-promoting measures. More than 1.5 million children and educational professionals, as well as over 1,000 cancer patients, have participated in the Prevention Center's programs in recent years, which are rapidly advancing through dissemination and implementation by multipliers.

Clever in sun and shade for preschools

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers and the incidence of melanoma has increased rapidly. Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation is a major risk factor for the development of melanoma. ‘Clever in sun and shade for preschools’ is a program effectively promoting sun protection strategies in preschools. In using a project kit, this program offers high quality information at a low cost as well as an easy dissemination strategy. It has been disseminated nationwide and has been rewarded with the Hufeland-prize for preventive medicine.

Seidel N, Fieber V, Breitbart EW, Bornhäuser M, Stölzel F. Cluster Randomized Trial: Sun protection Intervention ‘Clever in Sun and Shade for Preschools’– Effectiveness and Dissemination. Children 2021, 8, 651. DOI: 10.3390/children8080651



Physical activity of cancer survivors

Over the past two decades, it has been proven that physical activity plays an important role not only in cancer prevention, but also during and after cancer treatment. The NCT/UCC Prevention Center is investigating how physical activity can be effectively promoted among cancer survivors. In particular, it is examining the effects of activity-promoting measures and behavior change techniques and designing appropriate programs. For further research purposes, the NCT/UCC Prevention Center has set up the Sports Therapy Center, which offers exercise counselling and training.

Finne E, Glausch M, Exner AK, Sauzet O, Stoelzel F, Seidel N. (2018). Behavior Change Techniques for increasing Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Cancer Management and Research 10: 5125–5143. https://doi.org/10.2147/CMAR.S170064

Glausch M, Stölzel F, Seidel N, Fetzer A, Fieber V, Bornhäuser M, Ungar N and Wiskemann J (2020). Motivation for an Active Lifestyle (Motiva) – Pilot Study of a Behavior-Change Module in Exercise Programs for Cancer Survivors. 34. Deutscher Krebskongress 'informativ. innovativ. integrativ. Optimale Versorgung für alle'. Berlin, 19.-22. Februar 2020: Abstracts. Oncol Res Treat 2020;43(suppl 1): 186. DOI: 10.1159/000506491