An Institute of Medicine and American Cancer Society symposium on the new IOM report, "Fulfilling the Potential of Cancer Prevention and Early Detection," highlighted the potential of cancer prevention and early detection, the gap between what the evidence shows and what we do in practice, and how to close that gap to improve cancer prevention.

The report examines: the extent to which the burden of cancer could be reduced through cancer prevention and early detection; the effectiveness of cancer screening methods and interventions to alter smoking, eating, and exercise habits; approaches to enhancing the potential benefits of proven interventions; a case study of screening for lung cancer, illustrating the problem of adopting new technology when the science is uncertain; professional education and training needs; federal and state programs that support cancer prevention and early detection; and research trends and opportunities.

The symposium featured speakers prominent in cancer prevention, including:

• Tommy Thompson, Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services (invited)
• John Seffrin, CEO, American Cancer Society
• Harvey Fineberg, President, Institute of Medicine
• Sue Curry, Director of Heath Research and Policy Centers, University of Illinois, Chicago (co-editor)
• Tim Byers, Professor of Epidemiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine (co-editor)
• Additional speakers and discussants from business, managed care, government and academia

The symposium was held on June 30, 2003 in the Lecture Room of the National Academy of Sciences Building, 2100 C Street, NW, Washington DC.

A summary of this symposium is available