North Carolina Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control Celebrates 30th Anniversary | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    RALEIGH     The North Carolina Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control, the second oldest state cancer coalition in the nation, will celebrate 30 years of vigorous efforts to reduce North Carolina's cancer burden on Friday, Nov. 17.

    Since 1993, North Carolina's cancer mortality rate has decreased nearly 65%, from 437.6 to 154.6 per 100,000 people, thanks in part to successful prevention, early detection and treatment efforts.

    "More people are living with cancer or are cancer-free because of the hard work of North Carolina Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control," said Dr. Kimberly McDonald, Chronic Disease and Injury Section Chief and ACCCC Member. "With routine cancer screening and early detection, we can continue to reduce the cancer burden and address disparities statewide."

    The NC ACCCC is a legislatively mandated committee comprised of 34 members, including representatives from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina General Assembly, area hospitals, local health departments and others.

    The mission of the NC ACCCC is to facilitate the reduction of cancer incidence and mortality for all North Carolinians, enhance statewide access to quality treatment and support services, and maximize quality of life for all North Carolina cancer survivors, patients and their loved ones through educating and advising government officials, policy makers, public and private organizations and the public.

    NC ACCCC members and partners work together to implement the 2022-2025 NC Comprehensive Cancer Control Action Plan, which contains goals and strategic plans for addressing cancer incidence across North Carolina.

    Over the past 30 years, NC ACCCC major accomplishment include:

• Supported legislation to reduce cancer risks and support early detection such as -:
• Mandated insurance coverage for screening colonoscopies
• Added 2/5 cent tax on cigarettes
• Added restrictions on the use and operation of tanning facilities and equipment
• Establishment of an Ad Hoc Cervical Cancer Elimination Task Force to serve the NC ACCCC
• Mandated coverage for cervical cancer screening consistent with guidelines of the American Cancer Society or the NC ACCCC
• Established regulations for protection against radiation in tanning facilities
• Partnered with NC REALTORS® to create a continuing education course on reducing radon in the home. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and North Carolina is the first state in the country to create a course for realtors which other states have adopted.
• Partnered with the NC Tobacco and Prevention Control Branch within the NCDHHS Division of Public Health to support 100% smoke-free property policy with multi-unit public housing and prepare residents for the change.
• Partnered with the NC Immunization Coalition to educate and encourage medical providers and pharmacist to use best practices to increase Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates in teens and young adults to prevent HPV related cancers (cervical, oral, etc.)

    For more information, please visit the NC Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control and NC Cancer Prevention and Control Branch websites.

• NC Department of Health and Human Services
• 2001 Mail Service Center
• Raleigh, NC 27699-2001
• Ph: (919) 855-4840
• news@dhhs.nc.gov