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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Wednesday that more than $43.8 million will be awarded to support cancer prevention and early detection programs statewide over the next five years. The programs receiving these funds participate in the New York State Cancer Services Program, which aims to reduce disparities in breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer incidence and mortality through free cancer screening for uninsured and underinsured, low-income populations. Programs participating in the Cancer Prevention in Action Program, which is tasked with engaging community stakeholders to reinforce healthy behaviors and reduce cancer risk, will also receive funding.

"The threat of cancer knows no income level nor status, and New York is working to ensure that all men and women have access to the life-saving benefits of early detection and prevention services," Cuomo said. "This investment is a major step forward in our efforts to support healthy communities while securing New York's position as a leader in cancer prevention efforts. We will continue to work to raise awareness and promote access to high quality screening for all."

"Though we have seen great advances in detection and treatment, we know the fight against cancer continues each and every day," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "With a coordinated effort focused on saving lives, New York remains committed to investing in cancer prevention efforts in communities across the state. Our most vulnerable citizens continue to face healthcare disparities, and this latest round of funding will help to close the gap and ensure more New Yorkers have the access they need to reduce their risk and detect cancer early."

Beginning October 1, 2018, a total of $39,375,000 will be awarded over a five-year period statewide to 22 hospitals, community-based organizations and county health departments in distinct service regions to implement the New York State Cancer Services Program. The program will help reduce disparities in breast, cervical and colorectal cancer incidence and mortality by providing free screening to uninsured and underinsured women and men who are at or below the federal poverty level. The CSP supports an organized system of cancer screening across the state, ensuring that the most vulnerable New Yorkers receive cancer screening and diagnostic services, and access to treatment if needed. Awardees will help make the critical connection with health care providers in their regions to offer high-quality breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening and diagnostic follow-up services to CSP-eligible clients.

Over the same five-year period, $4,500,000 in funding will be awarded to four organizations to implement the New York State CPiA program to engage community champions to educate and provide resources and promote systems change interventions that address key areas of cancer prevention, including paid time off for screenings, reducing the risk of skin cancer among teens and other at-risk groups, and promoting the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

While most common in older adults, melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is the fourth most common cancer in young adults aged 20-34 years in New York State. As many as 90 percent of melanomas are estimated to be caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun and artificial sources such as indoor tanning.

Every cancer diagnosis is estimated to annually cost a business over $1,500 in lost productivity. Paid time off for cancer screening that is not charged against sick or vacation accruals encourages employees to obtain age-appropriate screenings.

Each year, nearly 2,500 New York residents are diagnosed with an HPV-related cancer, including cancers of the cervix and oropharynx. Many of these cancers could be prevented with the HPV vaccine which is recommended for 11 and 12-year old girls and boys and through age 26 for young women, and age 21 for young men.

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