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June is National Cancer Survivors Awareness Month
As the number of cancer survivors continues to increase in NH, more services will be needed to treat the physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and financial issues faced by cancer survivors. New Hampshire is part of a New England Regional group to address survivorship issues collaboratively.
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Message from our Board Chair
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Looking back, looking forward...
As my term ends and I prepare to step down from the Board I am reminded of how the NH CCC has developed during
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| Lise Mendham,
NH CCC Board Chair |
the past eight years, from a small steering committee, to work groups setting out to create the first cancer plan, to the institution of a Board of Directors and Guiding Principles. Then, the implementation of the first five-year plan, followed by the second five-year plan, leads us to now. Today we have over two hundred volunteer members, a Board of Directors, five work groups, and six standing committees, community partners, affiliates and stakeholders. The NH CCC is a recognized leader in reducing cancer incidence and suffering in NH.
Working in an environment that is strongly influenced by economic struggles and real and anticipated changes in health care delivery, the NH CCC remains focused on using evidence-based methods and interventions to meet the objectives identified in the cancer plan, specifically targeting the following priorities:
· Tobacco use prevention activities directed at youth and other vulnerable populations;
· Provision of colorectal, breast and cervix cancer screening for underinsured and uninsured individuals who cannot currently access screening programs in New Hampshire;
· Provision of cancer care plans to cancer survivors to manage their health from diagnosis throughout their life;
· Availability of Palliative Care services for every cancer survivor.
Difficult times can inspire creativity and lead to unexpected opportunities. Over the years, the NH CCC has mastered the art of achieving a lot with little money. Because of the strength of the outstanding membership and staff, continued productivity is inevitable. My deepest respect goes out to everyone affiliated with the NH CCC. I am proud to be a member.
Our incoming Board Chair, Nancy Kane, will lead us through the next two years, completing our first decade. Nancy is one of the founding members, having sat on the Steering Committee in 2003 and has continued on the
Board since then. She brings a wealth of experience and outstanding leadership skills. Nancy's deep knowledge about cancer stems from caring for family members, years of work as an oncology nurse and a cancer center administrator, as well as leadership positions on the New England Division Board of Directors for the American Cancer Society. Nancy grew up in NH and spent a good part of her adult life raising her family here. She understands cancer and she understands NH. I am very pleased that the NH CCC has the opportunity to continue to grow under her leadership.
Lise Mendham, MPH, RN, OCN
Director of Operations
Dana-Farber/New Hampshire
Oncology-Hematology
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Successful Patient Navigation
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From Gail M. Sullivan, RN, BS
Patient Navigator
Colorectal Cancer Screening Program
The New Hampshire Colorectal Cancer Screening Program (NHCRCSP) has from its inception used patient navigators to assist clients with understanding the importance of colorectal cancer screening, navigate them to their appointments and through any barriers to the screening such as the preparation instructions for a colonoscopy and transportation.
Since the NHCRCSP is a statewide program the navigation is done via the telephone. Clients receive between 6-8 telephone calls from the time of their enrollment, to two weeks after the colonoscopy. Results to date have shown that patient navigation has been a great success in the NHCRSP, supporting a recent article in Archives of Internal Medicine, Vol.171 No. 10, May 23, 2011, that reported "Patient navigation increased completion of CRC screening among ethnically diverse patients."
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Addendum to "Successful Patient Navigation"
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Dr. Oz's Colorectal Cancer Scare In the June 13 issue of TIME magazine, Dr. Oz relates lessons learned from his colonoscopy and colorectal cancer scare. In the article Oz notes, "Every week in my clinical practice, I dutifully admonish people to get screened but often leave the details to them. Between selective hearing, human error and confusion, many mismanage the seemingly simple request, and the tests slip away in the sands of time." Oz approached the procedure in a cavalier manner which quickly disappeared when a polyp was found. He needed a repeat colonoscopy because he didn't properly follow the prep instructions. Clearly Dr. Oz would have benefited from the assistance of a patient navigator as well as the Colonoscopy Prep: Tips and Tricks video developed by Lynn Butterly, MD. Dr Butterly is the Director of the Colorectal Cancer Screening Program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Remember, colonoscopy screening could save your life! |
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Weight and Breast Cancer Risk: New Issues Brief
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In a comprehensive approach to understanding the risks of cancer and the efficacy of preventive and therapeutic interventions, lifestyle factors, such as nutrition and physical activity, have been identified as important considerations. In this issue brief we review current information on the impact of body weight on breast cancer incidence and mortality. Subsequent briefs will review interventions to address weight gain and weight loss in cancer patients. Read more... |
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Advocacy Update
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From Michael Rollo
State Director of Government Relations & Advocacy
American Cancer Society
The NH Comprehensive Cancer Collaboration was involved in two high profile pieces of legislation this year.
The first was SB 72, a bill to reauthorize the Comprehensive Cancer Plan Fund that was due to sunset on June 30 of this year. The NH CCC worked with the sponsor, Senator Molly Kelly (D) Keene, to help keep this important fund open. Although the NH CCC proposed a modest increase in the state tobacco tax to help fund the cancer plan, given the political climate in Concord; it was clear that was not going to happen. Under Senator Kelly's leadership, a compromise was developed and the reauthorization passed the Senate unanimously allowing the NH CCC to accept grants and donations to fund the plan.
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For More Information
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For more information about NH CCC go to our website www.nhcancerplan.org or Email info@nhcancerplan.org |
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