Dr. Sumedha Penheiter

So although we definitely get implementation and design ideas from other states, CDC does a really good job of, Center for Disease Control does a really good job of making sure that there's data available openly for all of us to examine what the cancer burdens are per state. And we are aware of that. So we do contact other states for tactics.

So although we definitely get implementation and design ideas from other states, CDC does a really good job of, Center for Disease Control does a really good job of making sure that there's data available openly for all of us to examine what the cancer burdens are per state. And we are aware of that. So we do contact other states for tactics.

There are meetings that MDH attends with other state cancer plan committees. The goal is really to get ideas from them, but to focus on the local burden.

There are meetings that MDH attends with other state cancer plan committees. The goal is really to get ideas from them, but to focus on the local burden.

So, This plan is actually, the genesis of this plan is a lot of listening sessions, data review of cancer burden, and then concerns of the community. And Minnesota Cancer Alliance has a very robust partnership of members across the state that act as amplifiers of our information as well as information in and information out.

So, This plan is actually, the genesis of this plan is a lot of listening sessions, data review of cancer burden, and then concerns of the community. And Minnesota Cancer Alliance has a very robust partnership of members across the state that act as amplifiers of our information as well as information in and information out.

So the way this is done is trying to reach communities at the grassroots levels to the most extent possible and ensuring that not only are we looking at the data, but looking at logistics and practical tactics that either prevent early detection and screening or eventual cure and the process of cure. So we even help with legal insurance

So the way this is done is trying to reach communities at the grassroots levels to the most extent possible and ensuring that not only are we looking at the data, but looking at logistics and practical tactics that either prevent early detection and screening or eventual cure and the process of cure. So we even help with legal insurance

we help with legal tactics with making sure that some of the screens as well as treatments are covered by insurance and are legislatively impacting the insurance companies so that they're enforced almost to cover some of the costs occurring with diagnostics as well as treatment. So I think the way that we are addressing this is

we help with legal tactics with making sure that some of the screens as well as treatments are covered by insurance and are legislatively impacting the insurance companies so that they're enforced almost to cover some of the costs occurring with diagnostics as well as treatment. So I think the way that we are addressing this is

Again, going to grassroots level, looking at burdens, and then forming our strategies. So it's never an isolation or vacuum. It's always done in concert with the community members and the members that are part of the alliance.

Again, going to grassroots level, looking at burdens, and then forming our strategies. So it's never an isolation or vacuum. It's always done in concert with the community members and the members that are part of the alliance.

So as you mentioned, we do focus on breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. I want to point out that things that are in the objectives can only go so far unless they are adopted into policy. They really don't continue long-term and they are not sustainable.

So as you mentioned, we do focus on breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. I want to point out that things that are in the objectives can only go so far unless they are adopted into policy. They really don't continue long-term and they are not sustainable.

And so to that, well, we have a very robust policy committee within the Alliance that has gone and lobbied at the state level with the senators and tried to tie almost every initiative with a policy so that it can actually be long-term sustainable and come to fruition. So we have done significant work in that space.

And so to that, well, we have a very robust policy committee within the Alliance that has gone and lobbied at the state level with the senators and tried to tie almost every initiative with a policy so that it can actually be long-term sustainable and come to fruition. So we have done significant work in that space.

For instance, we have made sure that the cost sharing part of insurance, that insurance charges for breast cancer diagnostic testing is removed. We have also recently worked hard to have biomarker testing, which would be biomarkers that could lead to understanding of early cancer. that is not symptomatic yet or very early symptoms.

For instance, we have made sure that the cost sharing part of insurance, that insurance charges for breast cancer diagnostic testing is removed. We have also recently worked hard to have biomarker testing, which would be biomarkers that could lead to understanding of early cancer. that is not symptomatic yet or very early symptoms.

We have made sure that those are covered by state regulated insurers. So we have done some efforts in that space through policy. In addition, we have also gone through things like mobile mammography units and a lot of awareness in that space into rural areas

We have made sure that those are covered by state regulated insurers. So we have done some efforts in that space through policy. In addition, we have also gone through things like mobile mammography units and a lot of awareness in that space into rural areas