In an effort to combat the pervasive issue of cancer within North Carolina, the state’s Department of Health and Human Services has introduced A Statewide Call to Action to Reduce Cancer in North Carolina: 2025-2030 North Carolina Cancer Plan. This new initiative seeks to tackle the numerous factors contributing to cancer, especially focusing on reducing health disparities in underserved and rural areas.
Dr. Lawrence Greenblatt, who serves as the State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer at NCDHHS, emphasizes the importance of the plan: “The Cancer Plan is a vital tool in our fight against cancer. It outlines clear strategies to reduce risk, improve early detection, and expand access to care. We urge communities across the state to use this plan to help save lives.”
Targeting six specific cancer types—lung, female breast, prostate, colorectal, melanoma skin, and HPV-related cancers—the action plan lays out objectives rooted in data. These include enhancing prevention, reducing risks, expanding screening, and supporting treatment and survivorship.
Primary Goals
- Promote healthy behaviors to mitigate cancer risks among all North Carolinians.
- Boost cancer screening rates and facilitate early detection.
- Enhance access to quality treatment, improve care coordination, and increase supportive care options.
- Educate both healthcare professionals and the public about cancer, its treatments, and its relationship with other chronic diseases.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the state, with rural and minority communities experiencing the brunt of its impact due to a range of social and environmental factors. These include the accessibility of nutritious food, safe housing, healthcare services, and preventive resources.
Dr. Kimberly McDonald, Chief of the Chronic Disease and Injury Section at NCDHHS, remarked, “Every North Carolinian deserves the opportunity to live a healthy life. That means investing in the conditions that drive health — like access to nutritious food and preventive care. The Cancer Plan supports this vision by promoting screenings, vaccinations and other early interventions that can prevent illness and save lives.”
The plan underscores the necessity for prevention, emphasizing the importance of accessible and affordable screening and treatment options. The strategies are tailored to address the unique challenges faced by North Carolina’s rural and underserved communities, drawing on evidence-based interventions recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This comprehensive strategy was crafted by the NCDHHS Division of Public Health’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Program in collaboration with the North Carolina Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control and the NC Cancer Leadership Team.
Dr. Vickie Fowler, Chair of the NC ACCCC, highlighted the plan’s significance: “Cancer touches nearly every family in North Carolina, and the burden on our communities is profound. The Cancer Plan is more than a document; it’s a call to action. It reflects our shared commitment to prevention, early detection, access to care, and survivor support. We urge healthcare professionals, policymakers, advocates and community members to join us in building a healthier future.”
Further details can be found in the full 2025-2030 North Carolina Cancer Plan or by visiting dph.ncdhhs.gov/cancer. Additional resources are available through the NC Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Resource Hub.
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