Maryland State Initiative to Fight Colorectal Cancer

The State of Maryland plans to spend nearly $80 million per year over the next decade under the Cigarette Restitution Fund on programs to combat cancer and tobacco-related diseases. Governor Glendening has declared the Cancer Prevention, Education, Screening, and Treatment Program a top priority for the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. About 24,000 Marylanders are diagnosed with cancer each year, and more than 10,000 will die from cancer. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the seven cancers targeted by this program. Other target cancers include lung and bronchus, breast, prostate, oral, melanoma, and cervix. Over 54% of cancer deaths in Maryland are due to cancers of the lung and bronchus, colon and rectum, breast, and prostate. Colorectal cancer has been targeted for screening because it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths (1106 deaths in 1998) in Maryland and because of evidence that screening and early diagnosis can decrease CRC morbidity (illness) and mortality (death).

Advisory Committee Sets Forth Management Plan

A Maryland Colorectal Cancer Medical Advisory Committee has been established and recently developed the "Colorectal Cancer- Minimal Elements for Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment, Follow Up, and Education." The Minimal Elements serve as a guide for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of CRC in the State of Maryland. They also provide information and guidance for clinicians and local cancer programs.

Local colorectal cancer programs outside of Baltimore City will work with communities to:

1) Screen, diagnose, and treat low-income, uninsured patients

2) Encourage doctors to screen for CRC in all patients aged 50 and above and in those at increased risk (such as patients with family or personal history of colon cancer, polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease)

3) Encourage all people who are 50 and older to discuss CRC with their physician and to seek screening.

The Baltimore City plan will initially focus on prostate, oral, breast, and cervical cancers. Dr. Stanley Watkins, an active MACGN provider and member of the steering committee, chaired the Colorectal Cancer Medical Advisory Committee.

For more information, you can obtain a copy of the Minimal Elements at http://www.mdpublichealth.org/mcc/html/colcan.html. You can also visit the Web site of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene at http://www.dhmh.state.md.us.

Philana Chen, MPH is health educator for MACGN.