The Indiana Cancer Consortium’s (ICC) 2013 annual meeting will take place on Thursday, April 25 as part of National Cancer Control Awareness Month. Otis Brawley, M.D., chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society and co-author of How We Do Harm: A Doctor Breaks Ranks About Being Sick in America, headlines the event, which backs evidence-based, scientifically justifiable cancer care.
Meeting speakers and panel discussions will discuss viewing cancer through a scientific lens and how to lead cancer advocates, health officials and physicians more effectively by better navigating cancer guidelines, treatment, rehabilitation and the Affordable Care Act.
“The Indiana Cancer Consortium serves a critical purpose by providing a platform for a wide variety of individuals to work together to reduce the cancer burden in Indiana,” said State Health Commissioner William VanNess, M.D. “ICC members include cancer experts, public health professionals, health care providers, cancer patients, survivors, individuals and others.”
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Indiana. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 13,240 Hoosiers were estimated to have died from cancer in 2012 alone. The ICC is a statewide network of partnerships whose mission is to reduce the cancer burden in Indiana through the development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive plan that addresses cancer across the continuum from prevention through palliation. The ICC meeting provides an opportunity for members throughout Indiana to participate in educational sessions, listen to expert guest speakers and network with one another.
In addition to Dr. Brawley’s keynote address, participants will listen to a presentation on the science behind cancer rehabilitation by Julie Silver, M.D., co-founder of Oncology Rehab Partners and associate professor at Harvard Medical School in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, as well as a presentation and panel discussion on the Affordable Care Act and Indiana lead by Monica Bryant, Esq., chief operating officer for Navigating Cancer Survivorship, cancer rights attorney, speaker and author.
As part of this year’s meeting, the ICC will release the 2012 Annual Report, which includes highlights and milestones from 2012, committee activities and accomplishments and updates on the ICC’s progress toward accomplishing objectives from the Indiana Cancer Control Plan 2010-2014—the state’s roadmap for comprehensive cancer control.
Sponsors for the 2013 ICC meeting include the American Cancer Society, Indiana Landmarks, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Johnson & Johnson, Little Red Door Cancer Agency and Rocky Mountain Sunscreen.
To learn more about the cancer burden in Indiana, and what you can do to reduce your risk, or view the Indiana Cancer Facts and Figures 2012 report, visit the ICC website at www.indianacancer.org . Those interested in help stopping the burden of cancer in Indiana should consider participating in the ICC. Participation in the ICC is open to all organizations and individuals interested in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, quality of life, data collection and advocacy regarding cancer-related issues.
To visit the Indiana State Department of Health’s website, go to StateHealth.in.gov.
