|
 |
- The
Cancer Plan Action
Coalition (CPAC) of
Virginia
- The
Current Action Teams
and Their Missions
| The Cancer Plan Advisory Committee
began in 1998, when the Virginia
Department of Health (VDH) convened
a small group to begin writing a
statewide cancer plan that would
identify the five leading causes
of cancer in the Commonwealth. Once
the plan was completed, VDH received
funding for a Comprehensive Cancer
Prevention and Control project from
the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC). Funds for this
project were used to award small
grants to agencies to promote community-based
activities throughout the Commonwealth. |
| In 2003, the Cancer Plan Advisory
Committee became the Cancer Plan
Action Coalition (CPAC) of Virginia
and hired a project manager to focus
on building the infrastructure and
functions of the organization. A
transitional Executive Board was
also formed to oversee the development
of by-laws and ensure the implementation
of the cancer plan. CPAC continued
to grow and in 2005 the first elected
Executive Committee was formed. Teleconferencing
capabilities allowed for volunteer
members to attend quarterly meetings
in five regions of the Commonwealth. |
| In 2006, work began on the second
Virginia Cancer Plan. CPAC action
teams, the advisory board and numerous
other public health and cancer experts
provided suggestions and ideas. Additionally
in 2006, Virginia Dialogue for Action
conferees designated CPAC to incorporate
their action plan into the Virginia
Cancer Plan and to create strategies
for implementation of their priorities.
The purpose of Virginia's Cancer
Plan Action Coalition (CPAC) is to
facilitate statewide partnerships
among public and private agencies
and organizations, individuals and
caregivers to focus cancer control
activities on prevention, early detection,
treatment, education, advocacy, research
and evaluation. A major responsibility
of the coalition is to provide input
for the state's cancer plan and assist
with implementation activities. |
| Membership in the volunteer coalition
includes representatives of both
National Cancer Institute-designated
Clinical Cancer Centers in Virginia,
the American Cancer Society, several
offices of the Virginia Department
of Health (VDH), three foundations,
six community groups, two medical
associations, three national cancer
coalitions, the General Assembly,
five hospitals, two state government
departments other than VDH, cancer
survivors, NCI's Cancer Information
Service, six universities, three
health insurance companies and five
community medically-related groups.
|
Prevention: This
Action Team reviews, investigates
and gathers data related to the individual
or group-centered behaviors and interventions
that reduce one’s risk of developing
cancer for the purpose of strategic
planning and prioritization of goals. Prevention
of cancer includes following specific
dietary recommendations, being physically
active, non-use of tobacco products
and reduction of exposure to tobacco
smoke, ultraviolet radiation and
other carcinogens.
View our Prevention Action Plan |
Early Detection: This
Action Team reviews, investigates
and collects data related to detection
of cancer in asymptomatic individuals
for strategic planning and prioritization
of goals. |
Treatment: This
Action Team reviews, investigates
and collects data related to the
broad spectrum of curative modalities
used to eradicate or at least halt
the progression of cancer, including
primarily surgical radiation, and
drug interventions for strategic
planning and prioritization of
goals. |
Surveillance: This
Action Team identifies, monitors
and collects data related to cancer
and reports to Action Teams for use
in strategic planning and prioritization
of goals. |
Palliative Care & Survivorship: This
Action Team reviews, investigates
and collects data related to palliative
care and survivors of cancer for
strategic planning and prioritization
of goals.
| Survivorship: Care
directed toward the results
of surviving cancer rather
than the disease itself; focusing
on maximizing the quality of
life for people living with
cancer as well as survivors
of cancer who suffer long-term
or permanent side effects from
the disease. |
| Palliative Care: Also
known as symptom management,focuses
on maximizing the comfort of
cancer patients. It includes
pain and respiratory management,
control of infection, and tending
to the emotional and spiritual
needs of the patient. |
|
Health Equality & Equity: Empirical
evidence shows that there are significant
disparities in the control, prevention,
and treatment of cancer between racial
and ethnic groups, and in rural versus
urban areas. This Action Team
will investigate and collect data
on disparities in Virginia, investigate
evidence-based intervention, and
propose a plan for establishing Health
Equality and Equity in the Commonwealth
of Virginia.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
