“Synergy” - Feature

Delaware Cancer Consortium

The Problem
Cancer incidence and mortality in Delaware was among the highest in the nation in 2002. The task: to reduce cancer incidence and mortality. Former Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner, whose own family has been affected by cancer, formed the Delaware Cancer Consortium (DCC) in SB102¹, originally formed as the Delaware Advisory Council on Cancer Incidence and Mortality, in March 2001 in response to Senate Joint Resolution 2.² The task force was established to advise the governor and legislature on the causes of cancer incidence and mortality and potential methods for reducing both.

The Policy Makers and Other Players
The advisory council originally comprised 15 members appointed by the governor and consisted of medical communities, practitioners, legislators, the division of public health, and cancer patients to develop an actionable, measurable four-year plan.³ Membership in the consortium is open to organizations and individuals whose missions are not in conflict with its priorities. Members must provide annual reports about progress and accomplishments and be willing to coordinate and collaborate within their own organization and with other organizations to implement strategies that address DCC priorities.⁴

The Product
DCC has implemented programs and services and driven awareness and education campaigns and many other activities to lessen the cancer burden in Delaware. Delaware's rate of decrease in cancer mortality now leads the country.⁵

In the Third-Year Progress Report, the Consortium highlighted many successes:

Delaware's reduction in mortality was nearly double the rate of the nation.
Colorectal cancer screening rates are up. In 2005 there was a percent increase in the number of African Americans who reported ever having a colorectal-cancer screening.
Funding continued for a comprehensive, statewide tobacco-prevention program at levels recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Tobacco Prevention and Control Program expanded tobacco-cessation services to include the Web-based QuitNet and more face-to-face counseling through the Quitline.
The Delaware Cancer Treatment Program, the first of its kind in the country, served more than 221 patients.
From 2002-2006, 1,317 colonoscopies were performed through Screening for Life.
A promotional campaign for radon testing of Delaware homes generated a threefold increase in the number of public inquiries about radon.
Screening for Life screened 1,412 uninsured or underinsured Delawareans, which led to the removal of polyps from 823 patients.
An annual fund was established to train and place statewide cancer-care coordinators who link patients with medical and support services.
DCC continued to focus on closing gaps for groups in which there is a disparity in provision of health care.⁶

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¹Delaware Cancer Control Budget, page 60: cancercontrolplanet.cancer.gov/budget/budget_files/Delaware_Cancer_Control_Budget.pdf www.delawarecancerconsortium.org/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?DocID=412,466,9,5,1,Documents&MediaID=1129&
Filename=DCC_Year3_Progress_Report.pdf
²Third-Year Cancer Report, page 71.
³Delaware Cancer Consortium Homepage: www.delawarecancerconsortium.org
⁴DCC Membership Application Form: www.delawarecancerconsortium.org/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?DocID=196,27,2,6,1,Documents&MediaID=754&
Filename=DCC_Membership_Application.pdf
⁵Delaware Cancer Consortium Issues Third Progress Report: www.dhss.delaware.gov/dph/dpc/consortium.html
⁶Task Force Report: www.delawarecancerconsortium.org/Task-Force-Progress-Reports

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