Data, Stats and Research

Dear Californians,

This is the second Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan issued by California Dialogue on Cancer (CDOC), a coalition of cancer control stakeholders from across the state. The goals of CDOC are to reduce cancer suffering and mortalit in California. This plan sets forth strategies that will help to accomplish these goals. CDOC’s first plan, published in 2004, helped guide California’s efforts to reduce the burden of cancer through 2010. During this period, cancer mortality and incidence rates steadily decreased; however, cancer continues to be a major health threat. Cancer, second only to heart disease as the cause of death of Californians, has touched all of our lives. Approximately every four minutes, a Californian will be diagnosed with cancer, and every ten minutes, a Californian will die of cancer. Thus, we must not relax our efforts to combat this terrible scourge.

This plan summarizes current data on the most common cancers we encounter in California. Cancer control stakeholders should use the objectives and strategies outlined in this plan to guide their efforts in reducing cancer incidence and mortality in the people they serve. In addition, this plan contains screening and lifestyle recommendations everyone can follow to reduce the risk of selected cancers.

Many experts throughout the state gave generously of their time and knowledge to develop this plan. Their cooperative efforts serve as a model of the kind of collaboration needed to accomplish our goals. I would like to thank the contributors listed on the following pages for their creative time, effort, and expertise.

Sincerely,
Daniel S. Anderson MD, FACP – Chairman, Excutive Committee

Read California’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan.