April is National Cancer Control Awareness Month

April is the month to step up on cancer control awareness. So how can we help?

Several cancer research institutes in the US are actively campaigning during this month. And they give us some tips on how we can help.

Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ)

As one of the nation’s 40 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centres and the only one in New Jersey, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) delivers advanced comprehensive care to adults and children, and conducts cutting-edge cancer research. Their researchers and physicians transform discoveries into clinical practice and provide education and outreach regarding cancer prevention, detection and treatment.

CINJ is a Centre of Excellence of UMNDJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. This April, the institute is highlighting its clinical trial programs and the importance of patients having access to quality information about these cancer studies right at their fingertips. It is with this objective in mind that the CINJ-operated, web-based New Jersey Cancer Trial Connect (NJCTC) website was set up. With NJCTC, patients can conduct research and match diseases and drugs with cancer clinical trials

Michigan Cancer Consortium (MCC)

Do you know that there are over 100 types of cancer? That 1 out of every 4 deaths in the US is caused by cancer? These are just a few facts and figures from the Michigan Cancer Consortium (MCC) in observance of the National Cancer Control Awareness Month. MCC “is a dedicated group of public, private, and voluntary organizations committed to reducing the human and economic impact of cancer in Michigan. MCC members are collaborating to address cancer control priorities in Michigan.” To highlight cancer control awareness and help spread the word, here are a few ideas from MCC:

• You can get involved as an individual or as an organization.
• Have a prerecorded phone message about cancer screening. You can use this on your private phone or in your business phone. The message, can for example run in lieu of music while the client is put oh hold.
• Get involved in disseminating the MCC Cancer Early Detection Recommendations.
• Include MCC Early Detection Guidelines in your newsletters, journals, or blogs.
• Share or distribute cancer resource materials to family, friends and colleagues.

All guidelines, resources and recommendations are available from the MCC website.

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