Connecticut Action Center

Restore and Protection of funding for the Connecticut Comprehensive Cancer Plan (CCP)

In Connecticut, cancer is the leading cause of death for people 45-84 years of age and the leading cause of premature death for all ages combined. Its estimated economic cost exceeds $1.3 billion annually. Despite progress along many fronts in the fight against cancer, this year it will claim the lives of close to 7,000 people and nearly 20,000 new cases will be diagnosed in Connecticut. At least half of all cancers could be prevented or delayed if current knowledge about causes and risk factors were put into practice.

The Connecticut Cancer Partnership, a broad statewide coalition of almost 300 key groups and individuals representing cancer prevention and control efforts in our state, has developed a Comprehensive Cancer Plan. This multi-year, multi-strategy approach to cancer prevention and control encompasses all cancers and phases of cancer care from prevention and early detection to survivorship and end of life.

In late 2008, $4.3 million in health-related settlement money negotiated by the Attorney General was transferred to a state account to fund various recommendations within the Connecticut Cancer Plan Initiative. Unfortunately, due to the worsening economy, these funds were frozen, putting important cancer programs and services at risk.

The American Cancer Society will strongly urge that the Legislature and Governor restore these funds in their entirety so that they may be used for the statutory purpose for which they were intended.