WHEREAS, cancer
is the second leading cause of death in New Jersey, claiming over
18,000 lives each year; and
WHEREAS, over
40,000 new cases of invasive cancer are diagnosed among New Jersey
residents each year; and
WHEREAS, lung
cancer is the leading cause of cancer among New Jersey men and women,
followed by breast and colorectal cancer for women and prostate
and colorectal cancer for men; and
WHEREAS, New
Jersey residents see cancer as the most important health issue facing
the State, according to a survey conducted by the Eagleton Institute;
and
WHEREAS, New
Jersey has made substantial progress in reducing the incidence and
mortality rates for cancer in recent years, with mortality reductions
of 7% for lung cancer, 10% for breast cancer, 20% for colorectal
cancer, 23% for prostate cancer, and 10% for cervical cancer from
1990 to 1997; and incidence reductions of 6% for lung cancer, 2%
for breast cancer, 8% for colorectal cancer, 19% for prostate cancer,
and 17% for cervical cancer from 1992 to 1997; and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding
these advances, cancer still claims too many lives, too many people
engage in behaviors that increase their risk for cancer, and not
enough people take advantage of regular screenings that can detect
cancer early and save their lives; and
WHEREAS, it
is imperative that the State accelerate its already substantial
efforts in the fight against cancer by improving cancer research,
prevention and treatment; and
WHEREAS, in
recognition of this imperative, the State has invested an additional
$2.7 million this year for an expanded Cancer Screening, Education
and Outreach Initiative to increase cancer screening services to
high-risk populations; and
WHEREAS, greater
coordination among experts in the field of medicine, pharmaceutical
research, academia, advocacy and support organizations, and public
health officials will promote a fully integrated effort at preventing,
detecting, treating and curing cancer;
NOW, THEREFORE,
I, CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, Governor of the State of New Jersey,
by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. There
is hereby created within the Department of Heath and Senior Services
(DHSS), the "Task Force on Cancer Prevention, Early Detection
and Treatment in New Jersey" ("Task Force").
2. This
Task Force shall consist of the following members:
(a) The
Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, or a designee, shall
serve ex-officio; and
(b) No
more than twenty (20) public members to be directly appointed
by the Governor from among representatives of the Public Health
Council; the State Commission on Cancer Research; the State
Minority Health Advisory Commission; the Medical Society of
New Jersey; academic medical centers and universities engaged
in cancer education, research and treatment; providers of cancer
treatment and support services; pharmaceutical companies engaged
in cancer research; community-based organizations and coalitions
engaged in cancer outreach, education and screening; and cancer
survivors. Public members shall serve for terms of one year.
3. The Task
Force, which shall be assisted by appropriate DHSS staff, including
an executive director, shall organize and meet as soon as practicable
after the appointment of a majority of its members. The Governor
shall appoint a chairperson and vice-chairperson. Each member
shall hold office for the term of appointment and until his or
her successor is appointed and qualified. A member appointed to
fill a vacancy occurring on the Task Force for any reason other
than the expiration of the term shall have a term of appointment
for the unexpired term only. A member may be appointed for any
number of successive terms. The members shall serve without compensation,
but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the
performance of their duties as members.
4. The Task
Force shall:
(a) Evaluate
current trends in cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality,
screening, diagnosis, and behaviors that increase risk;
(b) Evaluate
historic, current and emerging cancer control strategies;
(c) Establish
cancer reduction goals for the year 2010, which shall seek to
reduce cancer mortality rates by no less than the following:
Breast
Cancer 22%
Cervical
Cancer 60%
Prostate
Cancer 35%
Lung
Cancer 22%
Colorectal
Cancer 30%
(d) Establish
specific goals for (1) reducing behavior that increases the
risk of cancer, including behavior related to smoking and diet;
(2) reversing the present trend of annual increases in the rate
of invasive melanoma; (3) closing the gap in cancer mortality
rates between the total population and minorities; (4) increasing
the use of screening tests for cancer, especially among elderly
and minority populations; and (5) increasing the percentage
of cancers diagnosed at early stages;
(e) Develop
an integrated set of priority strategies that are necessary
to achieve the goals established pursuant to this Order; and
(f) Delineate
the respective roles and responsibilities for the State and
each of its partners in implementing the priority strategies
identified pursuant to this Order.
5. The Task
Force shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor
and the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services within 18 months
of its organizational meeting, and thereafter, submit biennial
updated reports.
6. The Task
Force is authorized to call upon any department, office or agency
of State government to provide such information, resources or
other assistance deemed necessary to discharge its responsibilities
under this Order. Each department, office or agency of the State
is hereby directed, to the extent not inconsistent with law and
within budgetary constraints, to cooperate with the Task Force
to furnish it with such information, personnel and assistance
as is necessary to accomplish the purposes of the Order.
7. This
Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN,
under my hand and seal,
this 9th day of May in the Year of
Our Lord, Two Thousand, and of
the Independence of the United States,
the Two Hundred and Twenty-Fourth.
/s/
Christine Todd Whitman
Governor
[seal]
Attest:
/s/ Richard
S. Mroz
Chief Counsel to the Governor
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