Taking a comprehensive approach to addressing Minnesota's leading cause of death. Cancer Plan Minnesota 2005-2010

Cancer is now the leading cause of death in Minnesota. Half of all Minnesotans will develop a potentially life-threatening cancer in their lifetime, and the number of people diagnosed with cancer is projected to increase by 22% between 2000 and 2010. In 2003, health care providers, health plan representatives, patient care advocates, public health professionals, members of volunteer organizations, and cancer researchers came together to begin crafting the state's first plan to address the full spectrum of cancer control--from prevention and early detection to treatment, palliative care, and survivorship. The resulting plan is intended to serve as a framework for action by policymakers, planners, health care providers, and others, and is grounded in the notion that better integration and coordination of cancer control activities and programs will result in more effective efforts to address the burden of cancer in Minnesota.