Cancer Plan Minnesota is both a call to action and a roadmap. It is designed to reduce the burden of cancer, improve outcomes, and promote health equity for everyone in the state. The plan was created by experts in cancer care, public health, and community health, along with the lived experiences of Minnesotans affected by cancer.

The Minnesota Cancer Alliance, a statewide coalition of more than 100 organizations, will lead implementation of this plan as part of its mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all Minnesotans. The plan provides clear objectives and strategies that Alliance champions in every sector and region of our state can use to make a difference. 

Cancer Plan Minnesota is forward-looking and adaptable. The years ahead will bring change by way of advances in cancer screening and treatment, shifting demographics, and evolving social contexts. This plan challenges us to work together and push for meaningful, lasting change.

The following principles shaped the development of Cancer Plan Minnesota. They reflect the values that guided the planning process, informed decision-making, and helped ensure the plan is grounded in collaboration, equity, and community insight.

We believe

• By seeking and acting on opportunities for collaboration, we can accomplish more together than alone to reduce the burden of cancer in Minnesota.
• That policy, systems, and environmental change strategies are essential tools for addressing structural barriers and creating lasting impact.
• That reducing the burden of cancer in Minnesota requires addressing root causes of health inequity, including access to housing, transportation, food, education, and economic opportunity.
• Moving this plan to action will require strong leadership, adequate resources, and broad-based commitment. 
• Patients and their families must be empowered to make decisions based on information shared in a manner they can understand.

We support:

• Evidence-based and community-informed approaches to address cancer control across the cancer continuum. 
• Equitable access to cancer services for all communities. 
• Eliminating fragmented care for cancer patients. 
• Efforts to use public and private resources more effectively, equitably, and transparently to measurably reduce suffering from cancer.

We respect:

• Cultural wellness practices and traditions, and support for delivering cancer services within the context of each community’s cultural values.

We value:

• Engaging all communities regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, geography, education, language, sexual orientation, ability, or socioeconomic status.

Cancer Plan Minnesota includes four goal areas and 28 objectives, which form the core of the plan.

• An objective is a specific, measurable statement of what a program aims to achieve, serving as a concrete, actionable step toward a broader goal. Objectives are developed using the SMARTIE (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound, Inclusive, and Equitable) criteria to ensure they can be tracked and evaluated effectively. 
• A strategy is a general method or approach used to achieve objectives. Strategies describe the steps, resources, and stakeholder engagement needed to meet goals and objectives. 

Let this plan guide your efforts and inspire your role in reducing the burden of cancer across Minnesota.

Contact us at communications@mncanceralliance.org.