Cancer diagnosis is chilling news

In November 2004, my wife and I sat in a doctor?s office, anxiously awaiting news about the biopsy performed to follow up on an abnormality in her routine, annual mammogram. We really had not wanted to hear what the wonderful surgeon who specialized in breast cancer said to us that day.

Although we are health professionals, and both advocates for appropriate cancer screening for women and men, we were still personally challenged by her diagnosis, and the lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy which we went through together. We, indeed, were blessed; a cancer was found that neither she nor the surgeon could even feel, and for which she had no symptoms. Today, she is a joyful survivor, and remains a passionate and articulate supporter of the work we all must do in our communities to reduce the prevalence and the impact of cancer in our lives.

You can see that we know that despite incredible medical advances, being told you have cancer is alarming. If we haven?t heard that message ourselves, most of us have a loved one who has. Cancer has been with us since the beginning of time and its scope is staggering. Approximately 32,140 Tennesseans are expected to be diagnosed this year and the disease will claim 12,970 more.

The good news is that Tennessee has a coalition of health care professionals and individuals from across the state working to reduce the burden of cancer among our families, our health care system and in our state. The Tennessee Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition is undertaking projects at the state level and has recently formed six regional cancer coalitions to implement cancer-control and awareness activities at the local level.

This regional focus provides the coalition with the agility it needs to implement strategies tailored to making the biggest impact on the disease in each specific community. Importantly, it also provides opportunities for those who have been touched by cancer to take part in activities to beat the disease in their own community. Regardless of your background or expertise, volunteers are encouraged to join the coalition and to share their vision and drive to help reduce the burden of cancer for all Tennesseans.

Through coordination by the State of Tennessee Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the coalition is connecting dedicated people and implementing a series of programs and activities that are tailored to make an immediate impact on communities.

There are currently 273 individual members on the coalition including survivors, advocates, health care professionals and some of the state?s top oncology minds. The coalition is also teamed up with cancer-related organizations including hospitals, universities, cancer centers, health care professional associations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, minority health coalitions and community groups.

Local initiatives, including efforts taking place in Middle Tennessee, were showcased at a cancer summit held in Nashville on June 15. The awareness and educational event focused on initiatives that impact lifestyle change, early detection screenings as well as outlined more timely and appropriate cancer treatment.

For more information or to become involved with the Tennessee Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Coalition, call (615) 741-1638 or visit www2.state.tn.us/health/CCCP/.

Kenneth S. Robinson, M.D., is the Commissioner of Health for the State of Tennessee.