Kansas Cancer Initiative

In Kansas, over 5,300 people die of cancer each year with an overall cost in medical expenses and lost productivity to our State of $1.6 billion. Statistics show nearly half of all Kansans will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetimes. Nearly 13,000 Kansans will be diagnosed with cancer this year alone. More than 5,300 will die from the disease. On average, 15 lives are lost each day to some form of cancer. The economic costs of cancer are also significant, not only to patients, but the state itself - more than $4.4 million a day according to the American Cancer Society - due to lost productivity due to the illness and premature deaths as well as direct medical costs.

The KU Cancer Center seeks to heighten Kansans access to cancer treatments and research through designation as a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center. This initiative is being led by the KU Cancer Center in partnership with hospitals, health providers, and public health professionals throughout the State of Kansas. KU's Cancer Team includes: biologists determining the causes of cancer and providing clues on potential new forms of drugs; pharmacists and chemists developing safer drugs with less side effects; and doctors and nurses treating cancer with new and improved therapies.

One key component to securing NCI cancer center designation is recognition by state governments of the value to cancer treatment. The University of Kansas continues to recruit researchers and doctors to fulfill the National Cancer Institute's requirement that new federal cancer centers must demonstrate strong institutional commitment and organizational strengths, show interdisciplinary and collaboration and coordination, and articulate a well-defined cancer focus.

The University of Kansas' plans for its national cancer center recognition are:

• Promoting Health Throughout the State - The KU Cancer Center has started the development of a network of cancer care doctors and hospitals across Kansas to share "best practices" for cancer care, continuing education for health professionals, increase telehealth outreach, extend cancer prevention and screening, and for selected hospitals, provide the opportunity to participate in Phase I clinical trials. This Midwest Cancer Alliance will serve as a means for local doctors and hospitals to have access to the comprehensive cancer treatment and research team at the KU Cancer Center, enabling them to have access to cutting edge treatment and prevention for their patients in their own communities.
• Spur Economic Development - The development of KU Cancer Center will create opportunities for economic development in the region and across the state with an innovative cancer drug pipeline, the ability to recruit nationally-recognized cancer research and treatment experts to work on both the Lawrence and Medical Center campuses, and by increasing health and wellness across the State.