The role of knowledge translation for cancer control in Canada.

The definition and scope of cancer control has been evolving since its inception. The most recent model of cancer control in Canada has acknowledged the importance of knowledge translation to ensure that research results are implemented in practice and will be used to inform policy. However, without effort, the process of translation does not happen on a consistent basis. Knowledge translation focusses on improving the adoption of an innovation, e.g., research results. A number of health organizations in Canada have identified knowledge translation as an important activity and have begun to develop departments or initiatives dedicated to its achievement. As the emphasis in cancer control is on the application of knowledge, knowledge translation has a role to play in attaining the objectives of cancer control in Canada. It is an ideal time for the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control and other Canadian cancer control initiatives to determine where they will locate knowledge translation in relation to their objectives.