Plan Development
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the state of Maryland, responsible for 24% of all deaths. In light of this and similar statistics, there was a need for a strategic plan to combat cancer in Maryland. Thus, the Maryland Cancer Control plan was created.
History of Maryland Cancer Control Plans
The first Maryland Cancer Control Plan was written in 1991. The cancer control priorities determined in the original plan included prevention and cessation of tobacco use, early detection and treatment of breast and cervical cancer, and improved surveillance of the cancer problem in the state; the plan included recommendations which were made based on these priorities. This plan was then updated and expanded in 1996 to include a focus on colorectal and prostate cancer, as well as place emphasis on the correlation between cancer and diet and physical activity.
In October of 2001, Maryland was awarded a grant by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop a new statewide Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan. The plan, published in 2003, serves to:
- Update the 1996 Maryland Cancer plan to include an Action Plan that provides guidance to all local and state organizations, including the Cigarette Restitution Fund Programs;
- Gather input from partners across the public, private and voluntary health sectors and cancer survivors; populations, and
- Identify scientifically based cancer control priorities.
Pre-committee Phase: A 25 member Core Planning Team charged with shaping the materials to be presented to committee members, outlining assignments to be accomplished, and providing guidance and oversight to all committees and sub-committees.
Committee Phase: Working committees reviewed current cancer data and information, drew summary conclusions, and provided recommendations for the new Cancer Plan. In addition, Town Hall Meetings were held between July 16 and August 8, 2002 to solicit community input on cancer issues in local Maryland communities. Public input was also be solicited from this website. After the Town Hall meetings, each committee continued to meet to formulate and rank their recommendations, while incorporating public comment into their final report to the Core Planning Team. These recommendations helped to shape the overall plan by outlining how Maryland would address specific cancer related issues.
The collective work of the committees was presented at a Statewide Consensus Conference held at Baltimore's Best Western Hotel & Conference Center on October 16, 2002. The presentations served as the framework for the specific chapters of the new 2004-2008 Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan.
Click here to view the 2004 – 2008 Plan committee rosters and meeting minutes.
Writing Phase: Writers were selected and provided a chapter outline. Writing continued through the first half of 2003 and committee review as well as public comment will be ongoing during the writing phase. The final cancer plan was published in mid-2003.
The plan was developed by over 200 individuals in Maryland, spanning 14 committees and a Core Planning Team. Committees consisting of experts in that discipline were formed for each chapter, reviewed epidemiologic data, scientific research, and existing programs and resources. Gaps and barriers to cancer control in the state were identified, and from these findings, goals, objectives and strategies were developed for each chapter.
Click here to download the 2004 – 2008 Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan.
New Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan
The 2004 – 2008 Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan is currently being revised and updated. Committees similar in structure to those described above are reforming in order to update each chapter. The new plan is slated to be released early in 2011.