(Link: The official statement from the Indiana Cancer Consortium on Indiana HB 1149.)

Talking Points from the Indiana Cancer Facts and Figures 2012

The need to decrease the number of smokers and reduce the amount of secondhand smoke in Indiana remains as prevalent and urgent today as it was over a decade ago. In Indiana, over 1 million adults smoke, accounting for 21.2% of the Hoosier population (the average adult smoking rate in the United States: 17.2% in 2010). When considering the health impact, 4,000 Hoosiers die from lung cancer every year. Smoking accounts for 87% of lung cancer deaths and at least 30% of all cancer deaths across the nation. If all tobacco smoking was stopped, the occurrence of lung cancer would decrease by an estimated 90%.

Secondhand smoke (smoke breathed in involuntarily by someone who is not smoking) can be just as detrimental. Each year, an estimated 50,000 American and 1,240 Hoosier nonsmokers die from exposure to secondhand smoke. Therefore, while HB 1149 is not a comprehensive smokefree air bill, the effort displays a significant step forward for the state of Indiana.

Time to Take Action

As an individual, the best ways to avoid developing lung cancer are to not start or to quit smoking tobacco and avoid all secondhand smoke exposure. Quitting tobacco smoking substantially decreases your risk of developing cancer and cardiovascular disease. Smokers who quit smoking, regardless of age, live longer than people who continue to smoke.

As a community, it is time to implement smokefree air policies and higher taxes on tobacco products. Annually, tobacco use costs Indiana over 2 billion dollars in health care costs, including approximately 487 million dollars in Medicaid payments alone.

So, how can you stand with the ICC in support of HB 1149?

Do you only have two minutes?

Share a link to this article on your social networks and let your friends know how important HB 1149 is.

Do you have more than two minutes?

Write an email to an Indiana legislator and let them know how important HB 1149 is. Here is a list of legislators in the House Public Health Committee to contact:

• Rep. Ron Bacon: h75@in.gov
• Rep. Charlie Brown: h3@in.gov
• Rep. Tim Brown: h41@in.gov
• Rep. Suzanne Crouch: h78@in.gov
• Rep. Steve Davisson: h73@in.gov
• Rep. John Day: h100@in.gov
• Rep. Dick Dodge: h51@in.gov
• Rep. David Frizzell: h93@in.gov
• Rep. Craig Fry: h5@in.gov
• Rep. Don Lehe: h15@IN.gov
• Rep. Scott Reske: h37@in.gov
• Rep. Eric Turner: h32@in.gov
• Rep. Peggy Welch: h60@in.gov

Email caleb@indianacancer.org for more information on how the ICC needs your help.

The District 6 (D6) Cancer Coalition Coordinator works under the guidance of the Indiana Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (ICCCP) Health Policy Coordinator and Administrator of the Delaware County Health Department to support all activities associated with the D6 Cancer Control Coalition, such as: managing mini-grant process; reporting; and providing general oversight for coalition communications, events, and meetings. The D6 Cancer Coalition Coordinator will coordinate the activities of the coalition including meeting scheduling, in-kind and attendance tracking, event planning, membership recruitment, project and program support, and other duties as assigned. Work is broad in scope involving strong communication, writing, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitate mini-grant process to support the ICCCP and the Indiana Cancer Consortium (ICC) in efforts to address the disproportionate lung cancer burden in D6 through public and organizational policy initiatives, health systems change, and health communications
• Coordinate release of a Request for Proposals, formal review process, and contract execution with mini-grantees
• Oversee cancer control interventions carried out at the local level by mini-grantees in D6
• Submit quarterly program activity reports to the ICCCP Health Policy Coordinator
• Collect quarterly program activity reports specific to mini-grantee work and submit aggregate reports to the ICCCP Health Policy Coordinator
• Fulfill additional data requests as needed to the ICCCP and ICC
• Participate in regular meetings and/or conference calls with ICCCP Health Policy Coordinator
• Write and implement a coalition development plan that involves participation from all sectors (education, health care, civic, faith, business, and youth) in D6
• Develop communication channels and outreach between the coalition and: local health departments; hospitals and local health clinics; rural health clinics; federally qualified and community health centers; community mental health centers; minority health coalitions; addictions treatment facilities; Purdue Extension offices; schools – public and private; state and local policymakers; public housing authorities; local chambers of commerce; businesses; not-for-profit organizations; cancer centers; hospice/palliative care providers; and cancer registries
• Host monthly D6 Cancer Control Coalition meetings
• Document coalition meetings with transcribed minutes
• Attend all required training opportunities and workshops (coordinator will be notified of all required trainings and workshops through the ICCCP Health Policy Coordinator)
• Facilitate increased coalition membership and meeting attendance, with the goal of attaining representation from all 13 counties in D6
• Present on the efforts, activities, and progress of the D6 Cancer Control Coalition to the ICC Steering Committee and as part of the ICC Annual Meeting (dates TBD)

Job Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Health Science, or a related field required. Masters of Public Health preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to interpret state and local laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to public health
• Ability to analyze state and local level political environments to identify trends that make a policy more or less likely to be adopted
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to professionals and general public
• Excellent organizational skills
• Experience with project coordination in an interdisciplinary/team environment
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with state, local community, and/or health organizations and other stakeholders
• Computer knowledge in Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Publisher
• Ability to travel – Requires up to 30 percent in-state local travel
• Resides in one of the 13 counties within D6 (Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Howard, Jay, Madison, Randolph, Rush, Tipton, Union, or Wayne)

Part-time position, up to 25 hours per week, at a rate of $18 per hour. Position housed at the Delaware County Health Department. To apply, please send cover letter with CV/resume to Katelin Ryan at karyan@isdh.in.gov by Friday, December 23, 2011. Please identify title of position in email subject line.

Central Indiana Cancer Centers

Free screening program, accepts 8 patients per month

Call: (317) 356-2422 (CICC)

http://indianacancer.com/your-visit/our-services/cancer-screening/monthly-screening-program/

Community Healthcare System

Free Screenings

Sept. 17, 2011 from 9-10:45a.m.

Community Hospital Outpatient Center, 9660 Wicker Ave., St. John, IN

Call: (219) 836-3477 or 866-836-3477 to register

Sept. 21 2011 from 5-6:45 p.m.

Community Hospital, 901 MacArthur Blvd, Munster, IN

(219) 836-3477 to register

Franciscan St. Anthony Health

Free Screenings

Sept. 13 and 14 from 4-6 p.m. and Sept. 15 from 9-11 a.m.

The Burrell Center Institute, 1201 S. Main St., Crown Point, IN

800-931-3322 to register

Goshen Center for Cancer Care

Free screenings ongoing

http://www.goshenprostatescreening.org/

Hendricks Regional Health and Urology of Indiana

Free Screenings

Sept. 13 and 14 between 5-6 p.m.

Location: Urology of Indiana office (Building Three), Danville, IN

100 Hosptial Ln, Suite 105

Http://www.hendricks.org/formbuilder/forms.aspx?formid=7070&sid=1

IU Health Methodist Hospital

Monday, Sept. 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

(317) 916-3525

IU Health University Hospital

Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 4 to 7 p.m.

(317) 948-2081

IU Health West Hospital Cancer Center

Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m.

(317) 217-3627

Northeast Indiana Urology

Free Screenings

Sept. 21, 2011 from 1 to 4 p.m.

(260) 443-7420

http://www.neiurology.com/node/250

Regional Cancer Center at IU Health Morgan

Friday, Sept. 9, from 8 to 4 p.m.

(765) 349-6533

Riverview Cancer Center

Reduced cost screenings for $25, ongoing

(317) 776-7179

http://www.riverview.org/cancer-center.html

St. Vincent Hospital Trinity Clinic

Tuesday, Sept. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m.

(317) 338.2273

St. Vincent Mercy Hospital

Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 9 to 11 a.m.

(765) 552-4587

Trinity Free Clinic, St. Vincent, and Urology of Indiana

Free screenings

Sept. 20, 2011

Location: 14598 Oak Ridge Road, Carmel, IN

http://www.trinityfreeclinic.org/

Urology of Indiana

Free Screenings

Sept. 19, 2011

St. Francis Indianapolis

Call: Urology of Indiana at 1-877-362-2778 or St. Francis Indianapolis, (317) 528-5000

Sept. 21, 2011

IU Health West

Call: Urology of Indiana 1-877-362-2778 or IU Health West (3170 217-3000

http://www.urologyin.com/even.html

Witham Health Services

Tuesday, Sept. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m.

(765) 485-8120

Here’s the result of what happens when you ask fifty strangers:

“If you could say one message to someone living with cancer, what would it be?”

Thank you to our fifty participants who gave us their time, their stories, and their honesty.

This is dedicated to all those living with cancer, the survivors, and their loving caregivers.

Today, we are proud to announce our next organizational milestone and our next step in the fight against cancer: The Indiana Cancer Consortium Blog!

What can you expect from the ICC Blog?

The blog will be a place for the ICC to elaborate on its mission and objectives represented in the state plan by providing committee updates, event announcements, and various accomplishments achieved by the ICC and/or ICC partner organizations. However, more importantly, the blog will act as a tool for better connecting the consortium with members, health professionals, other coalitions, and various citizens interested in cancer control and prevention. With this blog, we promise to be more transparent and more accessible, and as a result, we hope to provide readers with both educational and informative content.

What will be written about on the blog?

The blog will focus on evidence-based cancer control and prevention with a specific aim to educate professionals and the public on the objectives outlined in the Indiana Cancer Control Plan, 2010-2014.

That said, our blog will also reflect the many hats the ICC wears in the Indiana cancer community (leader, advocate, planner, cheerleader, provider, etc.). In short, blog articles will explore:

• The depths of cancer control in developing, implementing, and evaluating a state plan;
• The intricacies of establishing local cancer control coalitions;
• Advocacy issues ICC committees and partner organizations are undertaking;
• Best practices on how to use social media with public health;
• Cancer facts and figures reports specific to the Indiana cancer burden.

All this in addition to a few special blog series that you will surely not want to miss out on!

Wrapping up…

So, welcome to all of our readers! This project is one that will evolve over time to the needs of our members and readers, but we hope you are as excited as we are about what is to come. We encourage you to get involved by commenting on our posts and letting us know your thoughts or what your organization may be doing in the field of cancer control. Finally, we love hearing from our members and invite those interested to contact us for guest blogging opportunities.

Until next time, thanks for reading and have a good day!

Health Education and Communications Coordinator

UPDATE: We are no longer accepting applications for this position.

Purposes and Overall Responsibilities of this Position:

The Health Education and Communications Coordinator works under the guidance of the Comprehensive Cancer Control (CCC) Program Director as part of the Cancer Section at the Indiana State Department of Health. This position participates in health education program planning, implementation, and evaluation efforts and develops and implements communication strategies to increase awareness of cancer-related topics. Work is broad in scope involving complex program elements which require analytical, interpersonal, evaluation, and strong writing and public speaking skills.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serves as program lead for evidence-based practices and programs with partner organizations
• Provides technical assistance to the Indiana Cancer Consortium (ICC), local health departments, schools, and other community organizations on resources, and evidence-based practices and programs, and provides resources to partners as needed
• Collaborates and assists in the implementation and evaluation of cancer-related programs to local health departments, minority health coalitions, cooperative extension services, agencies on aging, faith based organizations, parish nurses and other community-based organizations
• Develops and maintains a database of educational materials and program information for the Cancer Section
• Responds to requests for information on cancer and requests for materials
• Develops and implements the Cancer Section communication plan initiatives and works with the Program Coordinator to evaluate the plan
• Works with the ISDH Office of Public Affairs to increase cancer awareness through earned media
• Provides, manages, and promotes e-based public health initiatives to internal and external partners, collaborates closely with the Cancer Coalition Coordinator on these efforts
• Assists with work plan development and grant writing
• Serves on internal and external committees and task forces
• Submits reports to CCC Program Director on a timely basis
• Performs other duties as required

Job Qualifications:

Master’s of Public Health, Health Education, Communications, or related degree preferred.

Two years relevant experience – in public or community health settings preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of population-based activities, from planning through evaluation, to ensure successful project outcomes
• Knowledge of health principles and the ability to apply them to public health
• Knowledge of health communication strategies and plan development
• Knowledge of organizational structure, administrative process, and quality improvement
• Working knowledge of training and public speaking techniques
• Ability to interpret and communicate health information
• Ability to work cooperatively within a team environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state, local community and/or health organizations and other stakeholders
• Ability to travel

Contractor reimbursed at hourly rate equivalent to annual salary of $38,000 to $40,000 plus vacation, sick time, and state holidays.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, June 24. Please send cover letter and resume/CV to Keylee Wright, ICCCP Director, at kwright@isdh.in.gov.

Program Coordinator

UPDATE: We are no longer accepting applications for this position.

Purposes and Overall Responsibilities of this Position:

The Program Coordinator works under the guidance of the Comprehensive Cancer Control (CCC) Program Director as part of the Cancer Section at the Indiana State Department of Health. This position participates in program planning, develops communication strategies, and develops and administers evaluation activities for the CCC Program. Work is broad in scope involving complex program elements which require analytical, interpersonal, evaluation, and strong writing skills.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Creates, updates, and maintains the CCC Program’s five-year evaluation plan
• Coordinates, maintains, and writes revision of the state cancer control plan
• Oversees the design and implementation of program evaluation to determine the progress of program goals and objectives and to set performance measures
• Coordinates and writes annual work plan objectives for grant proposals
• Submits required grant progress and other reports to grantors on time
• Works with the CCC Program in planning and implementing activities related to federal cooperative agreements and grants
• Develops and implements communication strategies, specifically for dissemination of evaluation reports
• Assists with CCC Program strategic planning to ensure program activities emphasize policies, systems changes, and environmental changes which support improved health outcomes related to cancer
• Provides support to the Indiana Cancer Consortium (ICC) on evaluation and other activities, and ensures responsibilities of the coalition are met by anticipated deadlines
• Ensures that evaluation activities are complementary to state program operations and activities, and consistent with the state cancer control plan
• Works with the Cancer Section team in developing partnerships throughout ISDH and externally to more effectively implement CCC Program objectives
• Travels in- and out-of-state as required and as approved by the CCC Program Director
• Provides support to the ICC and other cancer-related partners in development, implementation, and evaluation of a statewide cancer control plan

Job Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in Public Health or related field preferred.

Two years relevant experience needed – in public or community health settings preferred.

Two years experience in program evaluation preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience with developing grant proposals, program goals, and SMART objectives
• Extensive knowledge of public health/health promotion evaluation methods
• Marketing or communications experience
• Extensive writing skills for the creation of reports
• Experience with project coordination in an interdisciplinary/team environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, interpret and disseminate evaluation results and make recommendations on implementation in a program area
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing, including public speaking
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state, local community and/or health organizations and other stakeholders
• Ability to travel

Contractor reimbursed at hourly rate equivalent to annual salary of $42,000 to $46,000 plus vacation, sick time, and state holidays.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, June 24. Please send cover letter and resume/CV to Keylee Wright, ICCCP Director, at kwright@isdh.in.gov.

Health Policy Coordinator

UPDATE: We are no longer accepting applications for this position.

Purposes and Overall Responsibilities of this Position:

The Health Policy Coordinator works under the guidance of the Comprehensive Cancer Control (CCC) Program Director to coordinate planning, implementation, and evaluation of policy-related interventions. The position is also responsible for advancing awareness and understanding of policy at the state and local levels and offering effective strategies to plan, adopt, and enforce policies related to cancer prevention and control. Work is broad in scope involving complex program elements which require analytical, interpersonal, and strong writing skills.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinates efforts with the Indiana Cancer Consortium (ICC) and the Division of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Division, Healthy Communities Division, and Cancer Section at the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) as well as other external partners to implement policy agenda
• Works with ICC Data Committee to identify communities with a disproportionate burden of cancer, as well as other chronic diseases, and risk factors
• Works with Communities Partnership Coordinator at ISDH to assess readiness for policy change(s) in communities of highest need
• Documents community-based public policies related to cancer and monitors effectiveness
• Provides technical assistance to communities in order to build ready political environments
• Administers mini-grants to communities throughout Indiana to support local initiatives, such as smokefree air ordinances and Complete Streets policies
• Secures ICC representation at local town hall meetings to support policy initiatives related to cancer prevention and control
• Works with the CCC Program Director, Health Education and Communications Coordinator, and Marketing Coordinator at the ISDH to develop, implement, and evaluate a communications plan to generate earned media supporting policy initiatives
• Leverages resources necessary to support priority legislation and campaign activities
• Promotes advocacy as a critical intervention for cancer prevention and control among ICC members, supportive coalitions, and related program areas
• Supports ICC committee and action team efforts to implement policy initiatives
• Monitors state legislation of interest to the Cancer Section, and in collaboration with the ICC Advocacy Committee, develops appropriate strategies and campaigns to support or oppose such legislation
• Produces relevant materials to develop and support public policy initiatives, legislation, and regulations related to policy initiatives
• Works with the CCC Program Director, ICC Evaluation Workgroup, and the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy to ensure evaluation of policy- and advocacy-related efforts and timely reporting to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Job Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in Public Health Policy, Political Science, or a related degree preferred. Two to four years relevant experience needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to professionals and general public
• Ability to interpret federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to public health
• Ability to analyze state and local level political environments to identify trends that make a policy more or less likely to be adopted
• Working knowledge of The Associated Press Stylebook
• Computer knowledge in Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Working knowledge of local, state, and national CCC-related resources and programs
• Experience with project coordination in an interdisciplinary/team environment
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state, local community, and/or health organizations and other stakeholders
• Ability to travel – Requires up to 10 percent overnight travel (in- and out-of-state) and may require 20 percent in-state local travel

Contractor reimbursed at hourly rate equivalent to annual salary of $42,000 to $46,000 plus vacation, sick time, and state holidays. Medical, vision, and dental benefits are not included.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, June 24. Please send cover letter and resume/CV to Keylee Wright, ICCCP Director, at kwright@isdh.in.gov.

Scott County has the highest incidence rate (73.7) and the highest mortality rate (31.9) of colorectal cancer in the state. About 1,200 Hoosiers die from colorectal cancer each year.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States.  Between 2004 and 2008, nearly 17,000 people in Indiana were diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  The Indiana Comprehensive Cancer Control program and the Office of Primary Care are partnering with the Indiana Rural Health Association to launch a statewide effort to encourage adults 50 and older to get screened.  As part of this effort, the Indiana State Health Department will run a media campaign in Scott County, Indiana with television, radio, and print ads produced by the CDC’s “Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Action” campaign.

Originally launched in March 1999, this multimedia campaign educates and informs men and women aged 50 and older about the importance of regular colorectal cancer screenings.  TV newscaster and co-founder Katie Couric, as well as actors Morgan Freeman, Terrence Howard, and Diane Keaton have served as celebrity spokespeople for the campaign.

For more information, please use the following resources:

CDC “Screen for Life” website

Colorectal Cancer

To view the fact sheet, please click HERE.