“Massachusetts State Cancer Plan: A Road Map to Address Cancer Disparities and Decrease the Burden” Presentation at The State of Asian Women’s Health in Massachusetts Pre

Why should you know about the new five year Massachusetts Cancer State Plan? And why do we need your involvement? 2 Massachusetts Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Plan

Massachusetts has been in the forefront of health care reform—we have far better access to health care than almost anyone in the U.S. We also have abundant health care facilities and skilled practitioners  But there are still many population groups in Commonwealth who continue to be at much higher risk for being diagnosed with cancer and dying from it. “This disproportionate cancer burden is unacceptable”.

Why is cancer prevention and control important in Massachusetts? Reason #1: Cancer is the leading cause of death in Massachusetts, surpassing heart disease and stroke. Every year over 36,000 Massachusetts residents are diagnosed with cancer and nearly 13,000 die from cancer. 4 Massachusetts Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Plan

Why is cancer prevention and control important in Massachusetts? Reason #2: Cancer affects everyone. We all have family, friends, neighbors or co- workers who have died prematurely or who are cancer survivors. 5 Massachusetts Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Plan

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Rates per 100,000 Adjusted to the 2000 US standard population Source: Massachusetts Cancer Registry,

Rates per 100,000 Adjusted to the 2000 US standard population Source: Massachusetts Cancer Registry,

Rates per 100,000 Adjusted to the 2000 US standard population Source: Massachusetts Cancer Registry,

Rates per 100,000 Adjusted to the 2000 US standard population Source: Massachusetts Cancer Registry,

Source: Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2010

What is in the cancer plan? The Plan is a shared roadmap for individuals and organizations who provide outreach, direct services, research and policy development to work together on:  Goals that, if achieved, will reduce the cancer burden.  Objectives that measure progress in specific cancers and parts of the cancer continuum (e.g. early detection).  Strategies that will contribute to accomplishing the objectives. 13 Massachusetts Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Plan

Why do we need your involvement? Strengthen partnerships across regions: “Only through such a group effort can we achieve the goals and objectives outlined in this plan. Together, we look forward to making this cancer plan every Massachusetts community’s cancer plan.” 14 Massachusetts Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Plan

Why do we need your involvement? Spread the word about the plan and its focus on disparities Tell your networks about it Let us know your ability or your organization’s ability to partner on implementing some of the strategies For example: Pg. 46: “Increase the education and outreach to immigrant communities regarding the risk of stomach cancer” Pg. 48- Assist in surveying providers serving large numbers of Asian women about barriers to more Asian women being screened.

Why do we need your involvement? Share with us what is working to deal with disparities for Asian women in other health or non-health related areas (e.g. domestic violence, job training) Educate us on how to make the cancer plan and its strategies more effective and meaningful for Asian women.

17 Impact Eliminate Health Disparities and Reduce the Burden of Cancer in Massachusetts for everyone Collaborate Systems ChangePolicy ChangeBroaden Support Share ResourcesKnowledgeSkills Connect Join a Work GroupEngage othersLink existing efforts What can we do together?

“It will require a focused and unwavering commitment to fully address these disparities over the next five years” “An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea”. Buddha.

Join Us! 19

MCCPCP wants to hear from you! Gail Merriam, MSW, MPH Director, MCCPCP Massachusetts Department of Public Health 250 Washington Street, 4th Floor Boston, MA Phone: , Fax: