The New Hampshire Comprehensive Cancer Collaboration (NH CCC) is part of a national effort to systematically and comprehensively address cancer control in each state through prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation and palliation.  New Hampshire is fortunate to have a group of national, state and local health organizations, community service organizations, cancer survivors, and individuals dedicated to implementing the NH Cancer Plan entitled "Cancer in NH: A Call to Action 2010."

Cancer is a major health threat in New Hampshire, touching lives in every corner of the state and in every socio-economic group. In 2007, an estimated 7,140 New Hampshire residents learned that they have cancer, while an estimated 2,630 people died from the disease.

Development of the NH CCC began in 2003, when the state first established a steering committee to address the issues related to cancer in New Hampshire. The efforts of the steering committee over the next two years established the groundwork for what later became known as the NH Comprehensive Cancer Collaboration. A Board of Directors was selected who hired a Manager to coordinate the activities of the CCC.

In April 2005, after identifying the goals and objectives that would have the greatest impact on cancer in our state, the NH CCC developed the NH Cancer Plan, a blueprint for an implementation process entitled, "Cancer in New Hampshire: A Call to Action 2010."

Five work groups are charged with implementing the sixteen priority objectives that will reduce the cancer burden and suffering from cancer in New Hampshire as outlined in the Cancer Plan. Each workgroup has a Chair or Co-Chairs who are responsible for coordinating the activities of the workgroup in accomplishing the objectives of the Cancer Plan.

• Brought together a diverse group from all reaches of New Hampshire’s cancer community, to coordinate their efforts to eliminate or reduce the burden of cancer in New Hampshire.
• Produced “Cancer in New Hampshire: A Call to Action 2010” , which presents the Collaboration’s plan for action.
• Developed a web site, www.NHCancerPlan.org, to function as a clearinghouse of information and resources for the Collaboration’s workgroups and the community of cancer prevention and control stakeholders.
• Advocated for funding from the New Hampshire State Legislature to implement the priority objectives of the New Hampshire Cancer Plan. The NH Cancer Fund was established to expend monies for the following categories: tobacco use prevention and cessation, diet and exercise, breast and cervical cancer screening, colorectal cancer screening, treatment and survivorship services, prostate cancer informed decision making and minority oversampling data for information on behavioral risk and cancer rates.
• Assisted in establishing an Indoor Smoking Law.
• Developed information about Advanced Care Directives.
• Improved effectiveness of palliative care services and pain management.
• Funded 2 colon cancer screening projects to collect, analyze and link colonoscopy registry data, identify barriers to screening and work with primary care offices to improve screening practices.
• Published Emerging Issues: Cancer in NH Report.
• Provided guidance in the formation of the New Hampshire Prostate Cancer Coalition.
• Conducted a survey of the availability of and barriers to enrollment in clinical trials.
• Continue partnership collaborations to implement the objectives and strategies described in the Cancer Plan.
• Update the Cancer Plan beyond 2010.
• Broaden membership diversity to assure inclusion of organizations and individuals who represent or work with communities experiencing cancer-related disparities.
• Continue to identify and obtain resources to fund programs and to build infrastructure to achieve the objectives of “Cancer in New Hampshire: A Call to Action 2010.”
• Strengthen workgroups, clarify roles and support Chairs in their activities.
• Collaborated on a $3.5 million federal grant to increase colorectal cancer screening in NH.
• Convened statewide partners to plan and prioritize activities for the 2010-14 NH Cancer Plan
• Conducted a survey and focus groups to identify the availability of and barriers to enrollment in clinical trials in NH.