Results Statement: Illness, disability, and death caused by cancer will be reduced in the Carroll County community.

It seems that everyone knows someone who is personally affected by one of the multitude of cancer diseases. The physical, emotional, and financial burden of cancer accompanies the demanding treatment regimens and long-term health care routines necessary to monitor responses. According to the most recent statistics from the Maryland Cancer Registry, the community of Carroll County has a higher rate of overall cancer incidence but a lower cancer mortality rate than Maryland as a whole.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has established a local leadership council who agreed to serve simultaneously as The Partnership’s leadership team for this Core Health Improvement Area. The benefits of this arrangement are efficiency and the assurance of connectivity and consistency with ACS benchmarks…a win-win for all. 

Partnership Staff Contact:
Tricia Supik                   
410-871-6784                  
Tricia@CarrollHospitalCenter.org

Click on the organizational chart items to view the details of each.

Cancer Leadership Team

The Carroll County American Cancer Society (ACS) Leadership Council serves as the Partnership’s Leadership Team in the core health area of cancer. The Council meets four times a year. This ACS group tracks data and forms local goals based upon ACS benchmarks.  The American Cancer Society is the most trusted source of cancer information in the country.  They raise awareness about prevention and early detection through screening, and provide community-based services and programs.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Carroll County, Maryland and the United Sates.  Cancer mortality rates have begun to decrease, thanks to prevention measures, screening awareness, reduction in tobacco use, and advances in treatment.  The most prevalent cancers in Maryland are breast, colorectal, lung and prostate.  Skin cancer rates are higher in Carroll County than the Maryland average.

The American Cancer Society has established that all cancers caused by tobacco and heavy use of alcohol could be prevented.  An estimated one-third of cancer deaths are related to overweight, obesity, physical inactivity and nutrition.  Regular screening can detect cancers of the breast, colon, rectum, cervix, prostate, oral cavity and skin at early stages.  Prevention and early detection is critical to reducing cancer incidence and mortality rates.

Many organizations in Carroll County contribute to outreach and education about cancer, and to increasing screening and access to treatment.  All play a valuable role in helping to reduce the burden of cancer.  Please visit the links on this page for more information.

Sun Safety Action Team

This committee has worked on projects the past two years to promote education about sun safety through “Safer in the Shade”, and the importance of using sun protection measures.  Team members worked with the Carroll Non-Profit Center and Westminster Elementary School to organize shade tree plantings. The Partnership has received several grants to purchase trees for this program, and local landscapers have donated labor (Living Waters Garden Center of Westminster in 2009, and Outside Unlimited of Hampstead in 2008).  Students at Head Start and Westminster Elementary were taught the Maryland Sun Safety Curriculum by outreach workers from the Cigarette Restitution Fund Program. The Partnership received a Maryland PLANT certificate of recognition for these efforts.

The Skin Safety Action Team also promotes the use of sunscreen and sun safety at many outdoor events and golf tournaments and works with high schools students to educate them about the dangers of tanning beds. Members of this Team include volunteers from the American Cancer Society, Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation, Carroll Hospital Center, the Carroll County Health Department’s Cigarette Restitution Fund Program and Catastrophic Health Planners.

Cigarette Restitution Fund Program

This program functions under a local Health Department grant from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. It is a cancer prevention, education, screening and treatment program, funded by tobacco settlement award funds.  The primary goals are to reduce cancer mortality and decrease health disparities in cancer.  Programs have focused on cancers of the lungs, colon, breast, prostate, oral, skin (melanoma) and cervix.  These were selected due to the capacity for prevention, early detection and treatment to impact incidence and mortality.

The Cigarette Restitution Fund program is coordinated by Barbara White at the Carroll County Health Department.  She is director of both the Community Cancer Coalition and the Tobacco Coalition.  She can be reached at 410-876-4443 or bwhite@dhmh.state.md.us. 

Cancer Coalition

The Carroll County Community Cancer Coalition meets four times a year, as part of the Cigarette Restitution Fund Program.  Members are invited from the community- volunteers and many partnering organizations who work toward improving cancer outcomes in Carroll County.

For information in joining this group, please contact Barbara White at 410-876-4984.

Minority Health Council

This group was formed under the Cancer Coalition as the Minority Health Council of Carroll County.  Their mission is to raise awareness concerning health risks to the multicultural community by networking, advocacy and providing resources. They have sponsored numerous health fairs and programs to address the higher rates of cancer and other health issues in minority populations.  The group meets monthly at the Westminster Community of Shalom.  For more information, contact Barbara White at 410-876-4443 or Phyllis Hammond at 410-848-8701.

Tobacco Coalition

The Carroll County Tobacco Coalition meets monthly to keep members up-to-date on tobacco legislation, trends, data, resources and local programs.  In the past, mini-grants have been offered through the program for local tobacco prevention and cessation programs in the community. New members are encouraged and welcome. 

Indicators and improvement strategies for tobacco-free living are tracked through the Heart Health Core Health Improvement Area.

For more information, contact Barbara White at 410-876-4443.

Links

ACS Cancer Fact Sheet for Carroll County
American Cancer Society (has local links)
Asbestos & Mesothelioma Cancer Resource Center
Cancer patients can fly free on corporate jets
Carroll Hospital Center Cancer Program
CDC Report on Cancers Related to Tobacco
Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation
Maryland Cancer Data - American Cancer Society – includes Carroll County
Maryland Cancer Plan
Maryland Center for Cancer Surveillance and Control
Maryland CRFP Cancer Report 2008
New Connections - ACS Cancer Newsletter
Tobacco Remains Leading Cause of Death
Prostate Cancer Facts

Page updated: 12/09