The 2007 MCC Annual Meeting participants discussed a variety of comprehensive cancer control topics. This page includes a brief description of the opening and closing keynote sessions and the individual breakout sessions, as well as key contact information for speakers. In most instances, it also includes a link to the presentation itself. We encourage you to review these summaries and contact the resource person(s) for those presentations that interest you.

"Frontiers of Cancer Science: The National Cancer Institute's Role in Cancer's Future"

Presenter:

• John E. Niederhuber, MD

Summary: Dr. Niederhuber discussed the role the National Cancer Institute (NCI) must play in facilitating the process of cancer drug discovery, as a convener of the private and academic sectors in the quest to provide comprehensive solutions for cancer. He also talked about NCI's vital obligation to make sure that the latest scientific discoveries and new treatments are available to all patients — in the communities in which they live and work.

Contact Information:
John E. Niederhuber, MD
Director, National Cancer Institute
31 Center Drive, Building 31/11A48
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: 301-496-5615
E-mail: niederj@mail.nih.gov

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"The Use of Family History to Guide Clinical Decisions in a Tight Economy"

Presenters:

• Debra Duquette, MS, CGC
• Kara Milliron, MS, CGC

Summary: Taking a comprehensive family history to determine a patient’s risk of a variety of chronic conditions can be a challenge for health care providers. In this session, board-certified genetic counselors provided an overview of the practical and innovative use of family history in a variety of clinical and community settings. Case studies were used to demonstrate quality outcomes that can result from the use of family histories and the subsequent referral to appropriate resources. Interactive examples demonstrated cost-effective approaches that MCC members can use when working with community partners to educate the public about the importance of family history.

Contact Information:
Debra Duquette, MS, CGC Board Certified Genetic Counselor
Adult Genetics/Genomics Coordinator
Michigan Department of Community Health
201 Townsend Street
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: 517-335-8286
E-mail: duquetted@michigan.gov

Kara Milliron, MS, CGC
University of Michigan
300 North Ingalls, Room 958
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Phone: 734-764-0107
E-mail:kmilliro@umich.edu

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"Creating a Community-Based Network to Address Cancer Health Disparities in Detroit"

Presenters:

• Terrance Albrecht, PhD, MLIR
• Robert Chapman, MD
• Peter Lichtenberg, PhD, ABPP
• Phyllis D. Meadows, PhD, RN
• William Stengle, MPH

Summary: This session provided an overview of the Detroit Community Network Program, a program aimed at reducing cancer health disparities among older African Americans in Detroit. This population disproportionately experiences higher rates of many cancers and is first diagnosed at later stage disease. During this session, participants examined the model used for creating the network, reviewed the challenges of developing a community-based network in a complex urban setting, and discussed ways in which the model might be implemented in other community settings.

Contact Information:
Terrance Albrecht, PhD, MLIR
Professor, Wayne State University
Program Leader
Communication/Behavioral Oncology
Karmanos Cancer Institute
4100 John R - HWCRC 616
Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: 313-576-8262
E-mail: albrecht@karmanos.org


Robert Chapman, MD
Director, Josephine Ford Cancer Center
Henry Ford Health System
2799 West Grand Boulevard
Phone: 888-734-5322
E-mail: rchapma1@hfhs.org

Peter Lichtenberg, PhD, ABPP
Director, Institute of Gerontology
Professor, Wayne State University
Psychiatry/Behavioral Neurosciences &
Physical Medicine/Rehabilitation
87 E. Ferry - 226 Knapp Building
Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: 313-577-2297
E-mail: p.lichtenberg@wayne.edu

Phyllis Meadows, PhD, RN
Deputy Director
City of Detroit
Department of Health and Wellness Promotion
1151 Taylor Street, Room 324-C
Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: 313-876-4821
E-mail: meadowsp@health.ci.detroit.mi.us

William Stengle, MPH
Project Director
Cancer Information Service - Midwest Region
110 E. Warren Ave. - Prentis Center (5th Floor)
Phone: 313-831-4526 ext. 7317
E-mail: stengleb@karmanos.org

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Promoting Healthy Lifestyles Roundtable #1: "Working with Faith-Based Settings for Cancer Prevention and Control"

Presenter:

• Voncile Brown-Miller

Summary: Faith-based settings act as a significant social hub for communities and can be a critical means of reaching diverse populations with cancer prevention and control messages. This roundtable discussion highlighted examples of current faith-based interventions and resources in Michigan that address cancer risk reduction and early detection.

Contact Information:
Voncile Brown-Miller
Area Executive Director
American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division, Inc.
18505 W. 12 Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48076-2674
Phone: 248-483-4399
E-mail: vbrown-miller@cancer.org

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Promoting Healthy Lifestyles Roundtable #2: "Speaking in Plain Language"

Presenter:

• Tammy Asher, JD

Summary: To get the best health outcomes, health-related decisions must be based on a clear and correct understanding of important health information and services. This session explained how the simple concepts of Plain Language can be applied to written materials to enhance readability and comprehension. Plain Language has been shown to save offices both time and money and is especially necessary in times of limited resources. This session taught participants how to apply the general concepts of Plain Language to materials in their workplace.

Contact Information:
Tammy Asher, JD
Assistant Professor
Thomas M. Cooley Law School
472 O'Dowd Hall
Rochester, MI 48309
Phone: 248-370-3148
E-mail: ashert@cooley.edu

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Promoting Healthy Lifestyles Roundtable #3: "Cancer Prevention Outreach Through Enhanced Worksite Wellness Programs"

Presenter:

• Dru Szczerba

Summary: Worksite wellness is an effective way to promote cancer prevention and early detection to diverse populations. Existing programs can be enhanced with little effort and little to no cost. This session identified valuable resources identified by Michigan Steps Up collaborative partners to help participants and their staff develop healthier lifestyles, increase productivity, and help prevent lifestyle-related cancers and other diseases. The discussion included highlights of success stories designed to motivate participants to introduce new ideas to their worksite, participate in existing programs, and inspire them as individuals to commit to one small lifestyle change to enhance their health.

Contact Information:
Dru Szczerba
Director, Cancer Prevention and Health Care Systems Initiatives
American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division, Inc.
18505 W. 12 Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48076-2674
Phone: 248-483-4336
E-mail: Dru.szczerba@cancer.org

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"Cancer Clinical Trials: Strategies for Improving Access and Recruitment"

Presenters:

• Georgia Farr
• Dan Hayes, MD
• Linda Herskovitz, MA

Summary: Cancer clinical trials play a critical role in identifying innovative, cost-effective strategies to address cancer treatment and prevention, yet fewer than 5 percent of adults participate in cancer clinical trials. This session discussed approaches to enhancing clinical trial participation within limited budget sources.

Contact Information:
Georgia Farr
1119 Dunham SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Phone: 616-243-5899
E-mail: georgia-farr@sbcglobal.net

Dan Hayes, MD
Clinical Director, Breast Health Program
University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
1500 E. Medical Center Drive
6312 Cancer Center
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5942
Phone: 734-615-6725
E-mail: hayesdf@umich.edu

Linda Herskovitz, MA
Community Liaison
Wayne State University
Office of the Vice President for Research
101 Alexandrine
Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: 313-577-1628
E-mail: Linda.herskovitz@wayne.edu

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"Pain Management in Michigan: What’s New"

Presenter:

• Steven Creamer, MA
• Katie Kessler, MSN, APRN, RN
• Karen Ogle, MD
• Linda Vanni, CNS

Summary: This session provided an update on the progress made in pain management in Michigan over the past decade, as well as a discussion of current policy initiatives. Attendees learned from pain experts and participated in a discussion about practice issues and strategies for continuing to make progress in improving pain and symptom management for Michigan’s citizens.

Contact Information:
Steven Creamer, MA
Michigan Department of Community Health
Bureau of Health Professions
611 W. Ottawa Street
P.O. Box 30670
Lansing, MI 48906
Phone: 517-881-9652
E-mail: creamers1@michigan.gov

Katie Kessler, MSN, APRN, RN
Continuing Education Coordinator
Michigan State University
College of Nursing
A112 Life Sciences
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517-355-8539
E-mail: Kathleen.kessler@hc.msu.edu

Karen Ogle, MD
President, Michigan Cancer Pain Initiative
Michigan State University
Department of Family Practice
B110 Clinical Center
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517-884-0449
E-mail: Karen.ogle@hc.msu.edu

Linda Vanni, CNS
Supportive Oncology Services
Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
Karmanos Cancer Pain Service
The Wertz Clinical Cancer Center
4100 John R
Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: 313-576-9085
E-mail: vannil@karmanos.org

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"Using Family History: Legal and Ethical Considerations"

Presenter:

• Peter D. Jacobson, JD, MPH

Summary: To close the 2007 MCC Annual Meeting, nationally recognized health law and policy expert Peter Jacobson provided a provocative analysis of the ethical and legal issues that exist in the context of family history and clinical practice. In his talk, Jacobson portrayed the legal and ethical issues regarding the evolving nature of family history as genetic information and the implications for family members.

Contact Information:
Peter D. Jacobson, JD, MPH
Professor of Health Law and Policy
Director, Center for Law, Ethics, and Health
University of Michigan School of Public Health
109 Observatory
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029
Phone: 734-936-0928
E-mail: pdj@umich.edu .

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last updated: 12/12/07

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