| In 2002, with support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stakeholders in Minnesota initiatied a process to develop the state's first comprehensive cancer plan. A kick-off summit in November 2002 identified interested stakeholders and initiated a discussion about what Minnesota needs to do to address the state's cancer burden. This was supplemented by eight community forums that reached out to multicultural communities and individuals living outside the Twin Cities area.
The Cancer Plan Steering Committee recommended the creation of work groups across cancer continuum, from prevention and early detection to treatment and end-of-life care. Cross functional committees were also assembled to provide guidance on data and health disparities, in addition to operational committees such as membership. These groups drafted recommendations that were presented at a second summit in October 2003.
Created as a framework for action to effectively reduce the burden of cancer among all Minnesotans, Cancer Plan Minnesota 2005-2010 was approved by the interim Steering Committee and published in April 2004. It is a five-year plan with the majority of the objectives written for 2010. To provide some focus over the next few years, priority was given to support the following efforts:
- Expanding clean indoor air policies
- Reducing disparities in cancer screening and treatment
- Improving access to information about locally available services for cancer patients and their families
- Increasing colorectal cancer screening
The Minnesota Cancer Alliance is a newly-formed coalition, established by the interim Steering Committee in July 2005 to create a formal partnership to implement Cancer Plan Minnesota. Comprised of individuals and leading health care organizations throughout the state, the Alliance aims to pool state-wide resources to collectively fight cancer. | 