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The handiwork of Miami University graduate student Michelle Porcellino is in the 2006-07 Annual President's Cancer Report (PCP): Promoting Healthy Lifestyles: Policy, Programs and Personal Recommendations for Reducing Cancer Risk. The report was released in August by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the largest of the National Institutes of Health.
Porcellino, a technical and scientific communications major at Miami with a concentration in health communication, has held an NCI internship in health communications for the PCP since January. "My original internship was supposed to be January through June, but I was asked to stay another six months and immediately accepted," said Porcellino.
Her work on the report included researching and gathering statistics, deciding on layout and format and participating in all rounds and levels of editing. This year's report examines the effects of obesity, diet and nutrition, physical activity, tobacco use and secondhand smoke on cancer risk, and presents recommendations to policymakers, the health care community and individuals for promoting adoption of healthy behaviors.
"In the midst of alarming obesity and stagnant decreases in smoking, the panel calls for a cultural shift that emphasizes disease prevention as a primary means to reduce morbidity, mortality and health care costs associated with unhealthy lifestyles," said Porcellino.
"I really believe in the importance of this report and what it has to say," she added. "America really is in dire need of a culture change."
The report is available online at: http://pcp.cancer.gov.
"Overall, my internship has been absolutely incredible," said Porcellino. "I have traveled to conferences and meetings all around the country, representing the PCP and learning about the field of oncology. As an employee of NCI, I have had the chance to see world-renowned scientists and physicians speak. I took a class on Capitol Hill through Georgetown University... and was able to sit in on congressional hearings."
Porcellino, a native of Orland Park, Ill., graduated summa cum laude with a BA in biology and psychology from North Central College in Naperville, Ill. She will receive her master's degree in May 2008.
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