Utah network airs cancer control plan

MaryAnn Gerber and her pals wear T-shirts that say: "Pale. The new tan." They got them because, in May 2005 when she was only 24, MaryAnn Gerber was diagnosed with melanoma, a potentially lethal form of skin cancer.

She'd gone to a doctor to see about having a small, reddish mole on her cheek removed. By the time they were done, she'd also lost multiple lymph nodes and a section of the tissue on her back, where melanoma was also detected.

On Wednesday, when members of the state's Utah Cancer Action Network introduced the Utah Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan for 2006-11, she was there. The plan is the work of public health officials, health-care professionals, organizations including the American Cancer Society and individuals.

The focus is on cancer prevention, early detection, effective treatment and quality of life.

As the second-leading cause of death in Utah and nationally, cancer in various forms affects everyone, regardless of race or socioeconomic background or gender, said Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. "It doesn't draw any boundaries," he said. "It just sort of invades all."

While the average person can't control some of the elements of cancer, there are "steps we can all take, and we ought to make them available to all, regardless of ability to pay," he said.

State prevention efforts target tobacco control and various screenings, said Rose Defa, past UCAN chairwoman and vice president of operations for the American Cancer Society. Appropriate screening can detect breast, colorectal, ovarian, prostate, cervical and skin cancer.

In drawing up the plan, Defa said, they realized that survivorship issues are becoming increasingly important, as well. Part of the plan's emphasis is on end-of-life issues.

Several physicians spoke about cancer's toll. Dr. Joe Eyring, a colorectal surgeon and UCAN president-elect, said 50,000 Americans die each year of colon cancer and 95 percent of those deaths are preventable. Cancer in general is so rampant that an estimated 50 percent of men and 40 percent of women will be "personally affected" by cancer at some point.

New tools are aiding the push to diagnose breast cancer early, said Dr. Brett Parkinson, head of breast-care services for Intermountain Healthcare. Women at high risk of breast cancer — those with a previous history or two close relatives who had it before menopause, for instance — benefit greatly from MRI screening. Biopsy can also be done under MRI to find the exact spot.