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Promote the Plan

Priority Talking Points:

  • This plan is not a plan drafted by state government. This is a plan that was written by the people of Wyoming for the better health of Wyoming;
  • This plan is not a document to be placed on the shelf. It is a living document that shall be implemented to decrease the impact of cancer in Wyoming;
  • The plan was written to identify ways to save lives and reduce suffering among cancer patients in Wyoming;
  • We need your help to make the plan a reality;
  • Tell your legislators about the plan, and your dreams to see it as a reality for Wyoming;
  • The 2006-2010 Wyoming Cancer Control plan must be funded—let’s make it happen!

General

  • In 2003 cancer was the 2nd leading cause of death in Wyoming and in the nation (WCSP, 2003);
  • In 2005, ACS estimates 2,380 new cases and 990 cancer deaths in Wyoming (www.cancer.org);
  • 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime (NCI).

Wyoming Comprehensive Cancer Control Consortium

  • A Steering Committee of devoted individuals was created in January 2003;
  • Wyoming’s first Comprehensive Cancer Control Consortium was formed in September of 2004;
  • The purpose of the WCCCC is to foster statewide collaboration efforts to better implement comprehensive cancer control in Wyoming, and serve as the vehicle to coordinate the improvement of cancer prevention and control activities throughout the state ( Wyoming Cancer Control Plan, October 2005).

The Plan

  • In October 2005, the state’s first comprehensive cancer control plan was unveiled at the annual cancer conference ( Wyoming Cancer Control Plan, October 2005);
  • The plan encompasses a multi-Wyoming’s cancer prevention and control efforts in prevention, early detection & screening, diagnosis & treatment, and quality of life (including pain management and rehabilitation) ( Wyoming Cancer Control Plan, October 2005);
  • The plan not only identifies the resources we have, but it identifies the resources we do not have. It is the intent of the WCCCC to work to fill those gaps ( Wyoming Cancer Control Plan, October 2005).

Access to Healthcare

  • By 2020, Wyoming’s population is projected to increase by 36%, and the population of those ages 65+ is projected to increase by 113% (Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), The Wyoming Health Workforce: Highlights from the Health Workforce Profile);
  • The impact our healthcare system as a result of the projected population increase is profound;
  • 23.9% of Wyoming adults reported they did not have a healthcare provider (BRFSS 2003)
  • One in Five Wyoming adults ages 18-64 are uninsured (BRFSS 2003), the WCCCC would like to see Wyoming people have access to insurance
  • Although modern approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer are complex, Wyoming’s small population and frontier geography creates barriers unlike those seen in many other states.

Prevention

  • The 2006-2010 Cancer Control Plan focuses on prevention efforts surrounding tobacco use, adequate nutrition, physical activity, and sun safety (Wyoming Cancer Control Plan, October 2005);
  • The WCCCC wants to promote healthy Wyoming people, families, and communities so that we see a decrease in cancer incidence in the State of Wyoming;
  • It is important to share the importance of prevention with our policymakers.

Early Detection & Screening

  • The goal of the WCCCC is to increase early detection and screening in Wyoming so there is a greater chance of saving lives;
  • Wyoming has low screening rates for colorectal cancer; approximately 50% of Wyoming men and women over the age of 50 report having had a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy (BRFSS, 2003);
  • The WCCCC would like to see all Wyoming adults over age 50 have access to colorectal cancer screening ( Wyoming Cancer Control Plan, October 2005);
  • Women age 18 and over reporting annual Pap testing is at 83%. The plan integrates a culturally appropriate education and outreach component to achieve higher screening rates for detecting cervical cancers (and pre-cancers).
  • All women over age 40 should have access to breast cancer screening ( U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, 2003) ;
  • All men nearing age 50 should be provided culturally appropriate prostate health education and information in order to make informed-decisions as to their health and well being ( U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, December 2002).

Diagnosis & Treatment

  • It is the goal of the WCCCC that all Wyoming people diagnosed with cancer receive quality cancer care ( Wyoming Cancer Control Plan, October 2005);
  • The WCCCC promotes the use of best practice/ evidence based cancer care from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up or end of life services;
  • The WCCCC will be working to link healthcare providers to an electronic system to promote and enhance physician communication and referrals.

Quality of Life/ Palliative Care/ Survivorship

  • The WCCCC is striving for improvement in the quality of life for cancer patients, survivors, their families, and caregivers;
  • Through the use of local-level community cancer resource coordinators, the WCCCC hopes to create systems to connect cancer patients to resources needed for patient care as well as support services for families and survivors;
  • The WCCCC is aware of unique barriers to hospice within the state. The group is advocating for palliative care in the home setting (when possible);
  • The WCCCC would like to see all those who have pain management issues to have the support they need to manage their pain (this also includes the incorporation of necessary policy at the local and state levels);
  • The WCCCC is promoting the collection of data to enhance how we can improve quality of life for Wyoming people impacted by cancer.

Childhood Cancer

  • There is no pediatric oncologist within the state ( Wyoming Cancer Control Plan, October 2005);
  • By 2010 the WCCCC will educate policy makers on the need for this population and advocate for funding for an in-state pediatric oncologist;

Cancer and the Environment

  • The plan focuses on environmental hazards such as Radon, Environmental Tobacco Smoke (and the importance of clean indoor air) ( Wyoming Cancer Control Plan, October 2005);
  • The WCCCC will support the Environmental Health Task force and collaborate to implement findings within the Wyoming Environmental Health Study.

Health Disparities

  • All Wyoming people and populations should receive adequate cancer screening, diagnostic services, treatment, and palliative care;
  • Health disparities such as race/ethnicity, access to healthcare, poverty, age, and gender become a factor within the healthcare system, it is the goal of the WCCCC to continue to identify and support these populations who lack adequate cancer care ( Wyoming Cancer Control Plan, October 2005).

Data and Evaluation

  • The WCCCC will work to improve decision-making and priority setting with regard to cancer prevention and control based on data collection and evaluation ( Wyoming Cancer Control Plan, October 2005);
  • The WCCCC will continue to monitor the plan’s successes and weaknesses to better understand and implement a highly successful plan and save lives.

Next Steps

  • Over the past 6 months, a WCCCC budget has been created and was recently released. A total of $21 million per year is necessary in decreasing the impact of cancer in the State of Wyoming;
  • Over the next year, the WCCCC will be working to market the statewide plan, as well as educate people about the plan in order for stakeholders in cancer prevention and control can better serve the people of Wyoming, especially those impacted by the disease.


 
 
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