Feb. 4, 2016

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RECOGNIZES WORLD CANCER DAY

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla.—Today, the Florida Department of Health joins communities across the state in recognizing World Cancer Day, a yearly event uniting the world’s population in the fight against cancer. The 2016 campaign for World Cancer Day is titled “We Can, I Can,” a theme that will carry over for the next three years.

“Cancer is difficult to talk about because it is so personal, yet we need to talk about it and we need to make sure we’re being proactive about cancer screenings,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “Florida has invested significantly in cancer research and in forming cancer research networks. It is through this collaboration that we will find better treatments and cures. My hope is that World Cancer Day will soon become World Cancer Cure Day.”

Florida has demonstrated its commitment to eliminating cancer through investments in world-class research and collaboration. Just last week, the department announced $16 million in new cancer research funding. The funding supports a new series of projects related to cancer and tobacco-related diseases, including prevention and treatment, technology transfer feasibility, treatment-related morbidities, tobacco use and health disparities.

Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in Florida, which is why the department invests more than $82 million annually to research new treatments and cures and to better understand the disease. Florida takes a comprehensive approach in implementing cancer control efforts to reduce the disparities, morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. These efforts are guided by:

• The 2015 Florida Cancer Control and Research Plan which includes fifteen goals addressing five overarching themes data and surveillance; cancer prevention; screening; treatment and access to cancer care; cancer survivorship; and research.
• The Biomedical Research Advisory Council’s Strategic Research and Goals 2014 which focuses on health impact of research through the James and Ester King Biomedical Research and the William G. “Bill” Bankhead, Jr. and David Coley Cancer Research Programs.
• The leadership of the state cancer councils of the Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council, and the Biomedical Research Advisory Council.
• The Florida Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded program at the Florida Department of Health who provide coordination and support among public and private partners in the state.
• The six Regional Cancer Control Collaboratives which are groups of cancer stakeholders working collectively to address the goals of the Florida Cancer Plan on the local level.

As a part of the World Cancer Day mission, the “We Can, I Can” campaign aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about the disease, pressing governments and individuals across the world to take action. To learn more about World Cancer Day and events associated with the observance in an area near you, visit here.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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