MINNEAPOLIS, April 29, 2008—Over 235 individuals met April 22, at the fifth annual Cancer Summit in Brooklyn Park, to strategize the next moves in the war on cancer.

This year's working meeting was dedicated to finding ways to further cancer initiatives already underway in Minnesota.

Carin Perkins, Ph.D., principle epidemiologist for Minnesota's Cancer Surveillance System, told the group that after increasing steadily for decades, cancer mortality in Minnesota is declining. The overall cancer mortality rate dropped by 14 percent since its high point in 1992. Most of this decline took place between 2000 and 2006.

Cancer remains the leading cause of death in Minnesota, she said. "But real progress has been made."

Working sessions discussed ways to take the fight against cancer statewide deeper. Topics included:

• How to improve access to colorectal screening
• How to better reach underserved communities
• How to expanding smoking cessation benefits
• How to create an effective cancer survivor care plan
• How genomic breakthroughs will help us in the fight

Presentations and notes from these working session will be available from The Minnesota Cancer Alliance by April 29.