Cancer is the leading cause of death for both males and females in New Hampshire, claiming 2,609 lives (25.3% of all deaths) in 2007 (1). Whether it is a friend, neighbor, co-worker or family member who has faced a cancer diagnosis and undergone the rigors of treatment, cancer is a disease that touches all of us.

The NH CCCP is a CDC-funded program that is focused on bringing people together to reduce the impact of cancer on New Hampshire’s residents, families, employers and the economy. "Cancer control" activities are related to:

• Reduction of cancer risk,
• Earlier cancer detection,
• Better cancer treatment,
• Higher quality of life for cancer survivors.

The NH CCCP is focused on using cancer burden data to determine the greatest cancer-related needs in NH and guide decision-making related to cancer control priorities.

The NH CCCP works in close partnership with the the New Hampshire Comprehensive Cancer Collaboration to develop and implement the NH Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan . This plan outlines the ongoing steps we can take in NH to continue the fight against cancer.

The New Hampshire Comprehensive Cancer Collaboration

The New Hampshire Comprehensive Cancer Collaboration (NH CCC) was established in 2004 to help reduce the burden of cancer in NH. The NH CCC is a dedicated partnership of individuals and organizations committed to eliminating cancer in the state. The NH CCC developed the NH Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan to address the following priorities: preventing cancer by creating environments that support a healthy lifestyle; increasing early detection of cancer through screening; improving the treatment of cancer and quality of life for people living with cancer; and reporting on the latest cancer research. Members of the NH CCC participate in any number of workgroups focused on the following aspects of cancer control:

Primary Prevention

There are many ways to reduce your risk of developing cancer. Primary prevention focuses on changing behaviors, health systems, and policies to reduce the risk of developing cancer. The Primary Prevention work group focuses its efforts on three areas: healthy eating and living, tobacco and sun safety.

Prevention & Early Detection

People can reduce their risk of getting some cancers by following recommended screening guidelines. Screenings can find cancers at an early stage, which can increase the available treatment options and decrease mortality rates for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. Colorectal and cervical cancer screening can find changes early and prevent cancer from developing. No matter the type of cancer, it is critical that the unequal cancer burden among minorities and underserved populations be addressed. The NH CCC has identified target populations to help eliminate health disparities in the state.

Treatment & Survivorship

As the number of cancer survivors in New Hampshire increases, more services will be needed to treat the physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and financial issues faced by cancer survivors.

Because cancer treatment changes rapidly and is increasingly complex, careful attention is required to ensure that New Hampshire residents continually have access to current approaches to care. Generally, it is through clinical research trials that advancements and improvements in cancer treatment occur. By enrolling in a clinical trial, cancer survivors may be some of the first patients to benefit from a new cancer treatment while contributing to cancer research.

Palliation

As more people continue to live with chronic, debilitating, and life-threatening illnesses, including cancer, healthcare providers are challenged to provide effective, high quality care.

More than 70% of cancer survivors experience pain, and many also experience nausea, difficulty breathing, depression, fatigue, as well as other physical and psychological symptoms. In addition, survivors and their families require the knowledge to make informed decisions, to maintain an enhanced quality of life, to optimize body function, and to preserve opportunities for personal well-being and development.

References

(1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Leading causes of death. Available from: http://webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/leadcaus10.html. Accessed on 10/03/2011.