State Cancer Resources

The Texas Cancer Council

Mission Statement

In 1985, the Texas Legislature created the Texas Cancer Council. This small but dynamic agency has become an important force in the stateıs multifaceted battle against cancer. The Texas Cancer Council is a state agency dedicated to reducing the human and economic impact of cancer on Texans through the promotion and support of innovative, collaborative, and effective programs and policies for cancer prevention and control. The Council acts as a powerful stimulus to strengthen cancer prevention and control efforts throughout Texas.

The focus and leadership provided by the Council and the prudent use of state revenue dollars to stimulate critically needed services have helped Texas achieve major advances in cancer prevention. State funds invested in the Council have a synergistic effect, resulting in a tremendous contribution of volunteer support and professional involvement. Resource-sharing and collaboration are key tangible results of the Councilıs efforts.

Council-funded initiatives are focused on the premise that prevention and early detection are the keys to controlling cancer. No other cancer organization simultaneously coordinates and mobilizes the many diverse prevention and early detection efforts in the same effective manner. Many of the Councilıs initiatives emphasize minority populations, which are traditionally underserved and at highest risk of developing cancer.

Priorities

The Council's focus is on three top priorities: prevention education, early detection and follow-up, and resources for cancer prevention and control. Each Council-funded initiative must address one or more of these areas.

Prevention Education. Initiatives are directed toward ways to reduce the risks of developing cancer, with primary attention given to youth and adults at high risk of developing the disease. Behaviors and public policies that will reduce the lifetime cancer risk of Texas youth must be promoted. In addition, the availability of effective prevention programs and educational materials for underserved adults must be increased, with an emphasis on minority populations.

Early Detection and Follow-Up. It is imperative that we detect, diagnose, and treat cancer in its earliest stages, when a cure is most likely. Council initiatives seek to enhance the prevention and detection knowledge, skills, and practices of health care professionals, with an emphasis on those who provide primary care. The Council is committed to increasing the availability, quality, and timely use of cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up services, with an emphasis on the service needs of rural, low-income, and high-risk Texans. It is also important to promote awareness of public policies that affect the accessibility and availability of these services.

Resources for Cancer Prevention and Control. The Council is committed to expanding the availability of funding and support for cancer prevention and control services. Council-funded initiatives are helping public, private, and volunteer agencies to obtain additional funding from federal and private sources to address the cancer prevention and control needs of underserved Texans. These agencies also seek to enhance the availability of current information about cancer and cancer statistics.

While Council initiatives address a broad range of needs, they fall primarily under the following categories:

Public Education. Increasing cancer prevention knowledge and risk reduction behaviors among all populations, with an emphasis on those groups who have the highest risk of developing cancer.

Professional Education. Strengthening the cancer knowledge and skills of Texası physicians, nurses, dentists, social workers, dietitians and other health care professionals.

Early Detection. Providing screening and diagnostic services for Texans who otherwise would not have access to these specialized health care services.

Information and Referral. Making cancer statistics and resource information available to all Texans.

Community Cancer Networks. Creating partnerships among health care providers, community organizations, and social service agencies to address the cancer prevention and control measures needed in local communities.

Access to Care/Quality of Life. Raising awareness of the human and economic impacts of cancer on individuals, families, and communities.