The Appalachia Community Cancer Network (ACCN) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded research initiative to reduce cancer health disparities in the Appalachian region through community participation in education, research, and training. The ACCN is one of 25 NCI Community Network Programs across the country funded by the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities at NCI.
Based at the University of Kentucky Prevention Research Center, the ACCN serves the Appalachian regions of Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The ACCN collaborates with Appalachian communities and other partners to conduct cancer education and awareness activities, community-based participatory research projects, and to provide training opportunities throughout the region. The ACCN focuses its efforts on prevention and early detection of cervical, lung, and colorectal cancers, all of which have high incidence and mortality rates in the seven-state region.