A National Action Plan for Cancer Survivorship: Advancing Public Health Strategies
Loria Pollack, MD, MPH
CDC / Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Epidemiology and Applied Research Branch Georgia Cancer Survivorship Conference, September 27, 2007
Cancer Survivorship
• Estimated 10.8 million cancer survivors in the U.S.
• Of adults whose cancer was diagnosed during 1996—2003, 65% could expect to be alive 5 years after diagnosis • Cancer for many has become a chronic disease
Source: SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2004
The Challenge…
• Is public health prepared to meet the concerns of the increasing number of cancer survivors?
…Addressing the Challenge
A National Action Plan for Cancer Survivorship
Partnerships in the Creation of the Action Plan
•Supported by Lance Armstrong Foundation and CDC •Input from nearly 100 experts in survivorship
•Cancer Survivors •Clinical and behavioral science researchers •Federal agencies •State Cancer Control Coalitions •Non-profit and social service organizations •Advocacy groups •Policy makers
Increased attention on survivorship: Five national reports in four years
2003
2004
2005
2006
What is public health?
• Assuring conditions in which people can be healthy1
• Core public health functions2
– Surveillance – Policy
– Ensuring Access
1 Institute of Medicine, 1998 2 Public Health Functions Steering Committee, 1994
A National Action Plan for Cancer Survivorship: Advancing Public Health Strategies
• Identified cancer survivorship needs and proposed strategies on:
– Surveillance and Research
– Programs, Policies, Infrastructure – Access to Quality Care and Services – Communication, Education, Training
A National Action Plan for Cancer Survivorship: Advancing Public Health Strategies Cross-Cutting Needs for Cancer Survivors
• A comprehensive database on cancer survivorship
• Patient navigation systems • Clinical practice guidelines for each stage of cancer survivorship • Education programs that empower cancer survivors to make informed decisions • Evaluation of activities to ensure continuous quality of life and improvement of services
Anticipated Outcomes of the National Action Plan for Cancer Survivorship
• Lay the foundation for public health activities in cancer survivorship • Identify, discuss, and prioritize strategies to enhance the role of public health in survivorship
• Facilitate and support the development of collaborations and partnerships
Putting the Survivorship Plan into Action
• State, tribe, and territorial Comprehensive Cancer Control program • Quality of Life for Men with Localized Prostate Cancer
Applied Research
• Determinants of Drop-out from Cancer Treatment • Survivor Education and Evaluation (SURE) Study • Patterns of Care Studies
Next Steps
• Create a resource for addressing cancer survivorship through Comprehensive Cancer Control • Continue to promote quality of care • Enhance survivorship-related surveillance • Support the evaluation of survivorship materials
Conclusion
• Addressing the needs of cancer survivors is an emerging and exciting area for public health • The National Action Plan for Cancer Survivorship articulates needs and strategies for addressing survivorship • CDC and other organizations are involved in assessment, education, and programs
– Evaluation is needed – Forums to share survivorship activities could be better developed
Thank you
Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.