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New state cancer plan unveiled at Michigan Cancer Consortium annual meeting

For Immediate Release: November 4, 2015

LANSING, Mich. – Most Michigan families are affected by cancer, with approximately 142 people in Michigan receiving a cancer diagnosis and 56 people dying from cancer each day.

In an effort to address the devastating effects of cancer in our state, First Lady Sue Snyder today joined the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Michigan Cancer Consortium to announce a new state cancer plan to decrease the number of cancer deaths in our communities.

“As a 12-year breast cancer survivor, I know the suffering it causes. I am honored to share my story here with you today as we work together to move forward in our fight against cancer,” said Snyder.  “I applaud the work of the Michigan Cancer Consortium and the release of the new cancer plan that will help raise awareness around prevention and save lives.”

The new state cancer plan provides meaningful information such as clinical trial and survivorship resources to people diagnosed with cancer. In addition to recommending vaccination and screening, the state cancer plan states that cancer treatment studies and clinical trials should be available and accessible for all Michigan residents. The plan also outlines that cancer patients should have clear instructions on what to do after treatment ends.

“We know that the HPV vaccination for both girls and boys is a cancer prevention vaccination. Likewise, both men and women should be screened for colorectal cancer,” said Eden Wells, MD, chief medical executive for the MDHHS. “The objectives in this plan are proven strategies in the fight against cancer and it’s my hope that we can raise awareness to ensure that Michigan residents talk with their healthcare providers about the prevention and screening measures that are right for them.”

The new cancer plan uses targets to monitor progress and evaluate how these measures are making a difference. The plan is aimed at addressing preventative measures for residents of all ages, including recommendations about what providers and residents can do. In addition to recommendations for detecting and dealing with cancer, to prevent cancer residents are encouraged to:

  • If you smoke, quit, and quit smokeless tobacco too
  • Limit alcohol intake
  • Get your children vaccinated for HPV (human papillomavirus)
  • Maintain an active lifestyle
  • Make healthy food choices
  • Maintain a healthy body weight
  • Discuss family history of cancer with your health care provider
  • Test your home for radon
  • Limit ultraviolet light exposure, whether from the sun or tanning beds

To learn more about cancer control and prevention in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/cancer.

To view the new state cancer plan or to learn more about the Michigan Cancer Consortium, visit http://www.michigancancer.org/CancerPlan/ComprehensiveCancerControlPlan-2016-2020.html.

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