In Oklahoma, cancer is the second leading cause of death, following heart disease. In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that Oklahoma had the fourth highest cancer death rate in the U.S. at 174.9 per 100,000 population; the U.S. death rate was 148.1 per 100,000. Approximately 18% of the 47,809 deaths in Oklahoma were attributable to cancer. In 2018, there were 22,577 new cancer cases (incidence) diagnosed in Oklahoma. Over 87% of all cancer cases are diagnosed at age 50 or over, this population remains the group with the highest cancer death rate as compared with other age groups. Oklahoma with support from CDC from the DP22-2202 funding will work together to achieve cancer prevention and control goals: eliminate preventable cancers, ensure all people get the right screening at the right time for the best outcome, and support cancer survivors in a manner that allows them to live longer, healthier lives. Oklahoma’s efforts will include breast and cervical cancer screening services through the Oklahoma Breast and Cervical Cancer Program; cancer control by implementation by coalition through the Oklahoma Comprehensive Cancer Control Program; and surveillance through the Oklahoma Central Cancer Registry to monitor and report cancer burden.
Oklahoma Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, locally known as Take Charge!, has provided breast and cervical cancer services since 1995. Take Charge! provides breast and cervical cancer screening services to women who are low income, uninsured and/or underinsured and not served through other programs. Take Charge! also implements evidence-based strategies to reduce structural barriers to screening within multiple partner health systems. Take Charge! also provides patient navigation services to facilitate timely screenings and reduction of barriers such as transportation reimbursement to services. Take Charge! is focused on providing services for those with the highest need such as those who identify as African American/Black, Native American/Alaskan Native, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer, Two-Spirit, and questioning (LGBTQ+), and those residing in areas that are considered rural/frontier.
The Oklahoma Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (OCCCP) will facilitate a coordinated collaborative approach to planning and implementation of evidence-based cancer surveillance, prevention, and control strategies that advance program priorities, expand reach and make the greatest impact. OCCCP, through the leverage of resources, coordination of efforts, consistent communication, and community involvement, will assist the Oklahoma Comprehensive Cancer Network (OCCN) in the identification and development of complimentary population-wide interventions aimed at reducing cancer incidence and mortality in Oklahoma. Emphasis being placed on reducing cancer risk factors, increasing access and use of cancer screening services, improving the health and wellbeing of cancer survivors, within those populations most disproportionately affected by cancer.
The Oklahoma Central Cancer Registry (OCCR) has fulfilled population-based core registry functions since 1996. The OCCR will continue to provide statewide cancer surveillance capabilities which is evaluated at the highest level of quality by the national standard setters. The statewide cancer surveillance data is enhanced through multiple collaborations and data linkages with national and state data systems such as the National Death Index, Indian Health Service, state death certificates, state hospital discharge data, and the Cherokee Nation Cancer Registry. This provides a comprehensive approach to data-driven program planning and outreach for the OCCCP and Take Charge!. The OCCR promotes use of cancer surveillance data through a robust OCCR advisory committee, partnership networks of OCCCP and Take Charge! and strong support to the local, national and international researchers to use Oklahoma cancer surveillance data.
