Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has received a total of $1,901,817 to support cancer prevention programs across the state.  This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Center for Chronic Diseases Prevention and Health Promotion.

“Cancer is a terrible disease that has taken a heavy toll on families across our state.  Cancer prevention and screening programs are vital because the earlier this disease is caught, the better the prognosis,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.  “This investment in the Maine Department of Health and Humans Services will help to improve the health of Mainers and ultimately save lives.” 

The leading cause of death in Maine is cancer, and Maine has significantly higher cancer death rates than the rest of the U.S.  The Maine CDC Cancer Prevention and Control Programs help to reduce cancer mortality and increase cancer screening rates.  

Through coordinated and integrated strategies, the Maine CDC Cancer Prevention and Control Programs address the state's cancer burden by: 1) conducting cancer surveillance, 2) increasing access to cancer screening, 3) improving health outcomes for people living with cancer, and 4) providing the evidence for and evaluation of policy and environmental approaches.