Massachusetts Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition Plan 2006-2011:
Cancer Treatment

In 2005, there will be about 33,000 new cancer cases in Massachusetts (ACS, 2004). The survival of these residents will depend on their getting the best quality treatment. However, not every Massachusetts resident has equal access to high quality treatment. Minority groups, those with less income, and those living in rural areas of the state face many barriers to cancer care. (NCI, 2001) Reducing health disparities is a priority for cancer providers, advocates, and policy makers across this state. A number of projects are already in progress. These include patient navigation programs for underserved groups, language translation services, and free housing in Boston and Worcester for patients getting cancer treatment. There are also efforts to increase participation of cancer patients in clinical trials. A very small number of cancer patients currently participate in clinical trials, perhaps due to a focus on treating the disease and its acute episodes, and perhaps because many patients are not aware of the benefits of participation.

Strategies in this statewide document support those efforts to increase participation in clinical trials.

In addition, the Coalition plans to increase the number of residents who receive their cancer treatment at centers approved by the American College of Surgeon’s Commission on Cancer (CoC). CoC-approved centers must meet specific best practice standards. These standards are reviewed on a regular basis. They help ensure that every patient receives treatment of the highest quality. Finally, the plan includes several strategies to improve access to cancer information. If we are to succeed in reducing and ending cancer suffering and death, patients must have information in languages, formats, and channels they understand and use.

Goals: Ensure that all Commonwealth residents have equal and immediate access to cancer information, treatment and clinical trials that are based on nationally recognized best practice standards.

Target Measures:

• By 2011, increase the number of people in Massachusetts who call the toll-free Cancer Information Service (CIS) number or the American Cancer Society.
  Where we are:
  CIS: 1322 (CIS 2004)
  ACS: 17,813(ACS 2004)
  Target: to be determined
  
  
• By 2011, increase the number of individuals that receive their cancer treatment from Commission on Cancer-approved Cancer Centers.
  Where we are: 80% (ACOS 2004)
  Target: 90% (no HP2010 objective)
  
  
• By 2011, increase participation in cancer clinical trials.
  Where we are: 4% (NCI, 2004)
  Our target: 10% (no HP2010 objective)
  
  
• By 2011, increase the number of evidence-based educational forums or initiatives on informed and shared decision-making.
  Where we are and our target: to be determined

 Strategies:

• Identify and support efforts to eliminate barriers to equitable access to high
  quality cancer care.
• Evaluate first course of treatment to determine health disparities. Then distribute this information with recommendations to Commission on Cancerapproved providers throughout the state.
• Increase public awareness and access to credible cancer and clinical trial information using ACS or CIS toll free numbers, NCI interactive website and patient resource centers at CoC.
• Educate survivors on the benefits of Commission on Cancer-approved facilities.
• Support activities that ensure evidence-based informed and shared decisionmaking education for patients and their families.
• Support programs that increase information and access to clinical trials.
• Educate patients early in the disease process and loved ones on the benefits of clinical trials.