Overview

The Maine Cancer Consortium was created in 1999 to develop and implement Maine's comprehensive cancer control plan.   The mission of the Consortium is to reduce the burden of cancer in Maine by working collaboratively to optimize quality of life by improving access to care, prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation, survivorship, palliation and end of life care.

Membership to the Consortium is free and open to anyone committed to furthering the mission.   Representatives include those from public and private organizations involved in all aspects of cancer prevention, control, and care.   Currently, there are over 130 organizations involved in the Consortium.  

The Consortium is comprised of an elected Board of Directors, Work Groups and Task Forces.  

Since the release of Maine's first cancer plan, there has been significant progress in the fight against cancer, including those activities initiated by the Consortium, as well as related factors.  Examples include:

• Obtaining funding for several initiatives, including skin cancer prevention, colorectal cancer detection, rehabilitation and survivorship, and end of life issues.
• Developing a consensus statement on colorectal cancer screening guidelines.
• Collecting Maine's first ever data on the needs of cancer survivors.
• Identifying the quality of life for those at the end of life in Maine's long-term care institutions and Veterans Homes.
• Achieving progress for approximately 68% of the strategies assessed in the prior version of the Maine Cancer Plan.
• Developing an educational series on cancer-related topics for Consortium members.
• Implementation of skin cancer prevention activities in classrooms, state and municipal parks and recreation departments, school athletics, and other community organizations.
• Development and implementation of the No Sun for Baby Program , a hospital-based education for new parents.
• Administration of grants to eight hospitals on colorectal cancer awareness and screening.

• Increased professional awareness on skin cancer prevention and detection, colorectal cancer screening, and cancer genetics.
• Increased representation and involvement of community organizations in implementing Cancer Plan activities.
• Creation of the Maine Comprehensive Cancer Control Program at the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, including two full time staff members and federal funding.

In addition to the progress made by the Maine Cancer Consortium, there have been other   correlating activities that have impacted Maine's cancer prevention, control and care efforts.   These include the Master Settlement Agreement with tobacco companies, the creation of the Maine Center for End of Life Care, and the passage and implementation of the Breast Cancer Treatment Act.

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Mission of the Consortium

The mission of the Consortium is to reduce the burden of cancer in Maine by working collaboratively to optimize quality of life by improving access to care, prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation, survivorship, palliation and end of life care.

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Consortium Logic Model

The Consortium is working with the Maine Center for Public Health to evaluate our progress.  Logic Models have been developed for all 6 components of the program as well as the overall Consortium.  To view the Consortium logic model click here. 

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Purpose of the Consortium

The Consortium Maine's statewide cancer partnership, brings together people from across the state to:

1. Increase statewide integration, coordination, and provision of quality prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation, palliation, and end of life care services in Maine.

2. Increase access to high quality cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, palliation, and end of life care information and services for all Maine residents regardless of geographic, social, economic, racial, ethnic and other cultural factors.

3. Increase the proportion of Maine residents who appropriately utilize screening, follow-up, treatment, rehabilitation, survivorship, palliation and end of life care services.

4. Improve the quality and coordination of cancer surveillance and other data systems and the extent to which these and other evaluation data are used for comprehensive cancer control programming and management.

5. Increase support from policy and grant makers for comprehensive cancer control in Maine.

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Membership

Individuals and/or organizations whose mission is consistent with the Consortium are eligible and required to complete a membership form.

Membership in the Consortium is free and open to anyone or any organization dedicated to its mission. To view a list of current Consortium members, click here.

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Organizational Structure

Maine Cancer Consortium Organizational Chart

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Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Consortium and shall be responsible for the overall policy of the Consortium. The Board shall manage the work of the Consortium in pursuit of its mission, to include (but not limited to) the development, administration, and evaluation of the Consortium cancer plan.

The Board of Directors for the Consortium is elected for two-year terms and represent a variety of skills and organizational affiliations.  Directors may serve consecutive terms.

The Board of Directors meets bi-monthly, on the fourth Wednesday of odd months (January, March, May, July, September, November).  

Board of Directors of the Maine Cancer Consortium

Netta Apedoe, MPH, Maine Comprehensive Cancer Control Program

Kolawole Bankole, MD, MS, City of Portland, Public Health Division

Nadine Bullion, LCSW, Eastern Maine Medical Center/CancerCare of Maine

Kip DeSerres, MSPH, American Cancer Society -  Vice Chair

Melanie Feinberg, BA, Maine Medical Center - Chair

Mary Beth Hill, LSW, Penobscot Bay Medical Center/Cancer Care Center

Allen L'Italien, RN, OCN, Eastern Maine Medical Center/CareCare of Maine

Charity Lower, MPH, National Cancer Institute/American Cancer Society

Don Magioncalda, MD, MaineGeneral Medical Center

Katie Meyer, PhD, MPH, University of Southern Maine

Tom Polko, Maine Center for Cancer Medicine & Blood Disorders

Kandyce Powell, MSN, RN, Maine Hospice Council

Susan Rowan, Maine Cancer Foundation

Ken Smith, Genetech BioOncology

Meredith Tipton, MPH, PhD, University of New England

For view information about the consortium in one document, CLICK HERE.

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