New
Mexico Cancer Council Releases
New Mexico Cancer Plan 2007 – 2011:
A Note from the Chair
The State of New Mexico has a long history of cancer control and “cancer
planning” which spans decades. In fact, New Mexico was
one of the first states designated as a “SEER” (Surveillance
Epidemiology and End Results) site by the National Cancer Institute
back in 1973. Thanks to intensive cancer monitoring and the
data tracked by the SEER program, New Mexico has benefited from this
special emphasis on cancer control and the cumulative wisdom of many
of the country’s finest researchers and public health experts. As
my term begins I see the task before us is how we use this data to
improve the prevention, screening, early detection, treatment and
survivorship for the citizens of New Mexico.
I am fortunate to be working with a volunteer group of passionate
citizens and over 40 organizations dedicated to the goals of cancer
control in our state. The broad goals of the Plan are to reduce
the prevalence of cancer, to increase cancer survival and to reduce
the financial, physical and psychological burdens of cancer. The
strategies to reach these goals include but are not limited to risk
reduction through healthy lifestyle, detecting cancer early through
screening, improving cancer treatments and quality of life for cancer
patients and increasing access to health and social services. The
current edition of the New
Mexico Cancer Plan 2007-2011, and its companion volume, New
Mexico Cancer Facts and Figures 2007, is a living document
that maybe overwhelming upon initial review. The information
included captures the New Mexico Cancer Council’s collective
wisdom and forethought, with a look at the current status of cancer
control in New Mexico and identification of priority issues to lessen
the burden of cancer for all individuals and families in New Mexico. I
encourage you to use the plan to identify where you or your organization
may fit into the cancer control efforts and help us to achieve these
goals.
In 2009, the New Mexico Cancer Council, under the direction of the
Executive Committee will be focused on two priority areas; Developing
a White Paper on the State of Colorectal Cancer, including screening,
treatment and financial impact in our state and on raising the awareness
and use of Cancer Treatment Plans and Summaries for Cancer Survivors. Additionally,
the Executive Committee will be working to develop effective tools
to evaluate the success of our cancer control efforts. The
additional work of the plan will continue to be met, by the many
Work Groups identified to tackle specific issues or tasks.
I would encourage you to join a Work Group to become involved in
the solution. I would also like to personally thank all of
the members of the New Mexico Cancer Council who volunteer their
time to collaborate and partner to reduce the cancer burden in our
state.
Teresa L. Stewart, Chair
New Mexico Cancer Council
