News

03/11/10

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center launches campaign in support of second NCI-Designated Cancer Center

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - While Florida has the second highest cancer burden in the nation, the state has only one National Cancer Institute to serve its nearly 19 million residents. Successfully applying for an NCI designation must include a larger commitment for additional funding from the State of Florida and lawmakers. The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center is launching a public education and awareness campaign, "We Tackle Cancer" to bring attention to the critical need for a second NCI-designated cancer center in Florida.

"With additional funding from an NCI designation, Sylvester's patients will be given access to more treatment options," said Dr. Jerry Goodwin, Chief Medical Office, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. "These treatment options include those on the cutting edge of cancer research and clinical trials."

Sylvester is a regional resource for nearly 6 million residents from a five-county area in South Florida as well as from the Caribbean and Central and South America. Last year, in addition to the more than 4,000 patients treated at University of Miami facilities, Sylvester physicians also treated nearly 3,000 new cancer patients at Jackson Memorial Hospital - the state's largest safety-net hospital.

"The new designation would boost Sylvester's research capabilities, creating hundreds of new jobs," said Rep. Esteban Bovo (R-Miami-Dade).

"South Florida's economy would also benefit from the influx of patients from across the state as well the Caribbean and Latin America," added Rep. Anitere Flores (R-Miami-Dade).

Other states with populations of 10 million or more have multiple NCI-designated cancer centers: California has 10, New York has six, Pennsylvania has five and Texas has three. South Florida, where a third of the state's population resides, does not have an NCI-designated cancer center.

"With world-class researchers and more clinical trials, Florida residents will be able to receive treatment locally and not have to leave the state," said Rep. Erik Fresen (R-Miami-Dade).

Because of South Florida's unique and diverse population, Sylvester has an important opportunity to contribute research in disparities for cancer patients. Some of those disparities include:

Late stage presentation and under-treatment of cervical cancer related to ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
Cancer rates for Hispanics living in Florida are 40 percent higher than Hispanics in their countries of origin, as reported by the IARC.
Breast cancer mortality rate for African American women is higher than Caucasian women, regardless of age, extent of cancer, type of treatment or socioeconomic status.

"I came to Sylvester with advanced testicular cancer," said Frankie Andrews, Sylvester patient and cancer survivor. "Thanks to the commitment of my doctors and the treatment I received, which included a 17-hour surgery, I was able to beat cancer."

This additional investment will allow the cancer center to add to its arsenal by attracting more world-class scientists and enhancing its state-of-the-art research and novel treatment options for patients.

"We Tackle Cancer" campaign partners include the American Cancer Society, La Liga Contra El Cancer, Jackson Health System, Holtz Children's Hospital, the Papanicolaou Corps for Cancer Research, the Florida Police Benevolent Association, Women's Cancer Association of UM and the Joan Levy Cancer Foundation.

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MIAMI, Fl. - The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center will receive nearly $10 million for continued cancer research as a result of the 2010 Legislative Session. Learn more.

How many people does Sylvester treat? What does National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation mean and how is it achieved? Find the answers on our Frequently Asked Questions page. Learn more.

Florida needs a second National Cancer Institute Designated Cancer Center. With an NCI designation, Sylvester can expand Florida's access to cutting-edge research and treatment. Learn more.