National Cancer Institute's
CANCER INFORMATION SERVICE
Mid-South Region

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and a critical strategy in cancer control efforts is the education of Americans about steps they can take to prevent cancer, detect it early when treatment is most likely to be effective, and choose the best treatment plan.  For nearly 30 years, the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service has been providing the latest and most accurate cancer information to patients, their families, health professionals, and the public.  Through its network of regional offices and partnerships with nonprofit, private, and other government agencies, the CIS reaches people who may have limited access to health information. 

To effectively reach as many people as possible, the CIS partners with state and regional organizations that directly serve these populations.  By pooling resources toward common goals, the CIS and its partners leverage resources and design programs with wider reach.  The CIS assists organizations seeking cancer-related expertise by providing:

  • Education about the latest, most accurate cancer information, resources available from NCI, and referrals
  • Training on methods to educate their populations on cancer-related topics
  • Assistance in planning cancer education programs and evaluating their success
  • Assistance in developing new coalitions or strengthening existing coalitions
  • Advice about strategies to reach minority and medically underserved

The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center is under contract with the National Cancer Institute to operate the Mid-South Cancer Information Service, which serves Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Stephen Wyatt is Principal Investigator, Doug Wagner is Mid-South CIS Project Director, Gail Hardin is Partnership Manager, and Robin Vanderpool is Senior Research Coordinator.

State and regional organizations can learn more about collaborating with CIS by visiting the NCI’s Cancer Information Service’s Web site at http://cis.nci.nih.gov or by contacting a Mid-South CIS staff member. The following is a list of Mid-South CIS Partnership staff and the area(s) they serve:

  • Arkansas: Misty Smith, Partnership Coordinator, Little Rock, (501) 686-7829
  • Kentucky: Doug Wagner, Program Director, Lexington, (859) 219-9063, ext. 7461
  • Louisiana:  Dana Feist, Partnership Coordinator, New Orleans, (504) 568-2785
  • Mississippi: Doug Wagner, Program Director, Lexington, (859) 219-9063, ext. 7461
  • Middle Tennessee and Alabama: Gail Hardin, Partnership Coordinator, Nashville, (615) 936-5885
  • East and West Tennessee: Gail Lowery, Assistant Partnership Manager, (859) 219-9063, ext. 7468

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