Comprehensive Cancer Control of South Dakota

Background

The Vision of Comprehensive Cancer Control

The vision of the South Dakota Comprehensive Cancer Control Consortium (SDCCCC) is to reduce the human and economic impact of cancer on South Dakotans through the promotion and support of collaborative, innovative, and effective programs and policies for cancer prevention and control.

The Goal of Comprehensive Cancer Control

The goal of the SDCCCC is to ensure that all South Dakotans have access to quality cancer prevention and control information and services in order to reduce the number of new cancer cases as well as the illness, disability, and death caused by cancer and for survivors to live the best quality of life possible.

All South Dakotans should receive culturally appropriate information about cancer risks and prompt access to high quality cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation information and services;
Strong, collaborative partnerships at the state and local levels will help reduce the human and financial impact of cancer on the people of South Dakota;
A collaborative and unified effort by public, private, and volunteer agencies and individuals increases the effective use of limited resources and minimizes duplication of efforts.

Background

In 2002 a group of representatives from agencies focused on cancer control began to make this vision a reality in South Dakota. A team of 14 people attended a Cancer Leadership Training Institute sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the American College of Surgeons, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers, C-Change, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Chronic Disease Directors, the Intercultural Cancer Council, the National Cancer Institute, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries. The purpose of the institute was to provide a strategic opportunity for a group of highly skilled, influential individuals to engage in collective action to support implementation efforts for a comprehensive cancer control approach within the state.

During the last four years the group has grown. In October 2004 over 75 partners convened to begin the process of planning a comprehensive cancer control initiative in which all have a part. Smaller planning groups were formed around the issues concerning data and research, prevention, early detection, treatment, survivorship, and end of life. Meeting by phone and in person, each group developed priorities for action in the next five years to reduce the burden of cancer in South Dakota. The South Dakota Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan was published in June of 2005. The SD CCC consortium is now working on implementing the goals of the cancer plan.