Included in the many decisions that the R.I. General Assembly will face in the next month or so, as it finalizes the state budget for the new fiscal year, is one dealing with cancer and its horrendous impact on the families of thousands of Rhode Islanders.
Since its founding in 1999, the Rhode Island Cancer Council has played a significant and productive role in bringing cancer-prevention messages to the public and in assisting people diagnosed with the illness. Fortunately, measurable progress has been made, as evidenced by reports showing the number of cancer deaths in America has decreased for the last two years in a row. In Rhode Island, cancer deaths have decreased at a more rapid rate.
But however bright this outlook, the fight against cancer is as crucial as ever, especially in Rhode Island, with its historically high cancer rates and an aging population. When RICAN was established, Rhode Island placed second only to the District of Columbia, with 634.4 cancer incidences per 100,000 people. Today, though, Rhode Island is about in the middle of the national rankings.
Funds provided by the state and supplemented by grants from institutions such as the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention enable RICAN to implement education programs in areas such as breast, skin, prostate and colorectal cancer and help people get treatment.
Much of RICAN's work involves collaborative efforts with other institutions, such as the fifth annual “PawSox and Prostates” coming up in August, a joint effort with the Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island and the Pawtucket Red Sox that is aimed primarily at low-income people and members of minority communities.
Last year alone, RICAN developed and staged 70 informational programs that were offered in 20 cities and towns and attended by about 18,000 state residents.
A significant element in RICAN’s educational effort is its Web site,
www.ricancercouncil.org, which last year had more than 300,000 users. The site is a tremendous resource that includes facts on the various forms of cancer and the treatment options for each, links to organizations involved in cancer research and treatment, and listings for educational events.
RICAN resulted from recognition by the late Dr. Paul M. Calabresi and myself that Rhode Island had a poor record in dealing with cancer in spite of the fact that the state had excellent physicians and hospitals were improving their facilities. With the steadfast help of former state Rep. George T. Panichas, our response was to convince the General Assembly to establish RICAN to promote communication among physicians and other resources and mobilize those forces toward more concentrated efforts in fighting cancer.
On an individual basis, RICAN staffers assisted 450 Rhode Islanders last year by connecting them with services such as free cancer screenings and prescription help. And our telephone help line lets people talk to people who are knowledgeable about cancer and who know about the services available in Rhode Island to diagnose and treat the various forms of cancer.
Unfortunately, the budget proposed for the next fiscal year fails to list any amount for RICAN, a fact that would result in the demise of the agency and could hurt people who would not be alerted to the early signs of cancer or know where to find assistance.
RICAN has had great success in convincing doctors to consistently instruct their patients on the importance of cancer screening. Now, Rhode Island has the highest mammography utilization rate in the country and a breast cancer death rate lower than the national average. Similar improvement in the colon cancer death rates have occurred.
RICAN has met with considerable success in its mission to lower cancer’s toll in Rhode Island, but there is still a great deal to be accomplished. The General Assembly needs to continue to fund RICAN. It’s a matter of life and death.
Dr. Arvin S. Glicksman is a radiation oncologist in private practice and the unpaid executive director of the Rhode Island Cancer Council. He has published more than 200 papers on cancer.
