NY Governor announces cancer research initiative

…aimed at enhancing prevention efforts and improving access to treatment

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced a new data-driven, statewide initiative to examine cancer patterns and the potential causes of cancer in four regions across the state that have a higher incidence of certain cancers, a release from the Governor’s office stated.

Governor Cuomo traveled to Warren County and Staten Island to announce that the Department of Health will be reviewing cancer data, potential demographic and occupational factors, and will consult with the Department of Environmental Conservation on environmental factors contributing to these clusters of cancer incidences. The regional studies will focus on the eastern part of the state surrounding Warren County, western part of the state surrounding Erie Country, and in two regions downstate, including Staten Island and Long Island. Warren County has the highest rate of cancer in the state, while Staten Island’s rate is an anomaly compared to the rest of the boroughs in New York City.
According to the Governor’s office, these regional clusters were identified using the New York State Cancer Registry which is one of the most comprehensive in the United States and maintains over 50 years of data. The registry is Gold Certified by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries for its completeness and accuracy. The Registry collects reports on cancer diagnoses from health care providers which include the anatomical sites of tumors, the stages at diagnosis, the cell types of the cancer, as well as the treatment information and demographic information of those diagnosed with cancer.
“A cancer diagnosis is the last thing anyone wants to hear from their doctor, and in order for New York to continue providing the very best care to help stomp out this deadly disease, we need to invest in necessary research and development to improve the way provide care,” Governor Cuomo said.
“The ongoing battle against cancer is a global challenge that will only be addressed by bringing top-notch medical experts and institutions together to find a solution. This investment and statewide study will open doors to new developments and shine light on what New Yorkers can do to improve the health and well-being of themselves and their families, as we continue to work toward a stronger, healthier New York for all,” Cuomo added.
This new comprehensive effort will help identify the central causes leading to higher cancer rates in certain regions and ultimately help develop the most effective programs to prevent and treat cancer. The state is budgeting up to US$500,000 to conduct the four regional studies, and findings are expected within one year.
As part of the review, the Department of Health will look within and around counties that have higher rates of cancer and work to detect patterns related to demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, or occupational factors. In addition, the Department of Environmental Conservation will inventory potential environmental threats in those communities. The agencies will collaborate on further evaluation, mapping, and data mining. DOH will use the results of this initiative to enhance community screening and prevention efforts and support access to appropriate high-quality health care services in communities across the state identified as having high rates of cancer.
According to the Governor’s office, all New York communities have been impacted by cancer and the state has worked to ensure access to early intervention, cancer screening, and treatment programs. As part of this new initiative, DOH will work with the identified communities to connect them with these critical services. The state funds a multitude of programs aimed at preventing, identifying and treating cancer. Through the New York Cancer Services Program, the state funds breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings and diagnostic services to uninsured and underinsured New Yorkers, which served over 25,000 New Yorkers in the 2016 fiscal year.
New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “More than one million New Yorkers are living with a current or former cancer diagnosis and millions more have lost a loved one to this devastating disease. These are sobering facts and exactly why Governor Cuomo is pursuing expansive actions to prevent, detect, and successfully treat cancer. These actions will help communities across New York better understand cancer and connect residents with critical services that save lives.”
While the number of cancer diagnoses per year in New York have been rising, deaths due to the most common types of cancer, including lung, prostate, female breast and colorectal cancers, have been steadily decreasing. Increased access to cancer screenings leading to early detection and treatment means more diagnoses and fewer deaths, the Governor’s office said.