What is Comprehensive Cancer Control?

Comprehensive Cancer Control is “An integrated and coordinated approach to reduce the incidence, morbidity and mortality of cancer through prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation and palliation (pain management).”

•  In 2003, cancer was the 2nd leading cause of death in Wyoming.
• From 2002-2003, Wyoming costs relating to cancer diagnosis in hospital discharge data was approximately $57 million.
• In 2005, the American Cancer Society estimates 2,380 new cancer cases and 990 cancer deaths.

The Wyoming Comprehensive Cancer Control Program was created to lessen the impact of cancer on Wyoming people.  The program was funded in 2004 by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. 

The goal of the WCCCP was to bring Wyoming stakeholders to the table to create, implement, and monitor the state's very first Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan.

As a result of the stakeholder meeting, a larger entity, the Wyoming Comprehensive Cancer Control Consortium (WCCCC) was formed with one goal in mind—decreasing the burden of cancer on Wyoming by utilizing a comprehensive, collaborative approach.  The first undertaking of the Consortium was to develop the 2006-2010 Wyoming Cancer Control Plan modeled on prior work done through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

 What does the WCCCP do?

The WCCCP has worked diligently to facilitate and coordinate the state's efforts surrounding cancer prevention and control.  The program provides education and resources to local communities, evaluate's Wyoming's cancer control plan, applies for continued funding through the CDC to maintain current and future efforts, and completes all reporting requirements for the state and federal government pertaining to statewide efforts in cancer control. 

What are the plan's priority areas?

• Prevention – focus on prevention of cancer. This may include but is not limited to knowledge of cancer and cancer risk factors, health education and health promotion, nutrition, physical activity, tobacco, and other prevention and wellness issues that relate to cancer.
• Early Detection – focus on cancer screenings and early detection of cancers. This may include but is access/availability of cancer screenings and detection services, cancer screening guidelines, conducting personal cancer exams, new cancer screening technologies, and other issues not listed.
• Diagnosis and Treatment – focus on diagnosis and treatment of cancer including clinical trials. This will include getting information from physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals who are responsible for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
• Quality of Life – focus on pain management, therapies, mental health issues, acceptance, end-of-life issues, survivorship, and other issues related to post-cancer treatment or end-of-life. This focus includes the patient as well as family members and others (e.g., friends, co-workers, etc.) affected by cancer.
• Health Disparities - focus on identifying high risk populations and their lack of resources pertaining to access to healthcare, poverty, cultural barriers, language barriers, and other key issues.
• Children and Cancer - focus on the barriers and disparities with regard to Wyoming children who are diagnosed with cancer.
• Cancer and the Environment - focus on diparities among Wyoming communities in receiving environmental health monitoring services.
• Data and Evaluation- The WCCCC will identify data needs and address data gaps through implementation of the 2006-2010 Wyoming Cancer Control Plan.

A Data Team has been created. Team members represent the American Cancer Society, University of Wyoming, Wyoming Department of Education, and Wyoming Department of Health. The Data Team will provide support to all workgroups as requested or needed. Contact Kimberly Rogers at (307) 777-8609  for more information on the Data Team.

Funding

• In July 2006 the Wyoming Department of Health received implementation funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the amount of $253,610 to begin working on goals, objectives, and strategies within Wyoming's Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan.  This amount also must cover the costs associated with staffing and program administration.

Sustainability

During the 5-year implementation phase, we will be looking towards enhancing infrastructure, building capacity, and sustaining funding to create a healthier, cancer-free, Wyoming.