Cigarette Restitution Fund

Cancer Prevention, Education, Screening and Treatment Program

Local Public Health Component

The Cancer Prevention, Education, Screening, and Treatment Program (CPEST) provides and administers grants to local health departments and academic centers to reduce cancer mortality and cancer disparities in Maryland.

Purpose

The Maryland Cigarette Restitution Fund (CRF) was established in 2000 by the Maryland General Assembly (SB896/HB4125) to reduce the cancer incidence and mortality in Maryland. The legislation required the establishment of a local public health component to coordinate efforts in each jurisdiction. The local public health component of the CRF is the Cancer Prevention, Education, Screening, and Treatment Program (CPEST).

The purpose of the CPEST Program is to reduce cancer mortality in Maryland and to reduce disparities in cancer outcomes among whites and ethnic minorities. There are seven targeted cancers identified as priorities under the Maryland Cigarette Restitution Fund Program (CRFP). CRFP funds may be used to provide prevention, early detection, and/or treatment services for the targeted cancers. The seven-targeted cancers are lung and bronchus, colorectal, breast, cervical, prostate, skin (melanoma), and oral cancers.

Program Description

In 2000, legislation in Maryland directed that part of the Tobacco Settlement monies be distributed in Maryland according to each jurisdiction's incidence and mortality for cancer. These funds were for cancer prevention, education, screening, and treatment (CPEST). The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) identified seven 'targeted' cancers, one of which was colorectal cancer. Each jurisdiction in Maryland was required to form a Community Health Coalition that would formulate a cancer control plan and submit it to the MDH in application for funding.

MDH convened a Colorectal Cancer Medical Advisory Committee in the fall of 2000, which formulated the initial Minimal Elements for Colorectal Cancer Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Education. 

23 of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions 'targeted' colorectal cancer (CRC) in their plans and were funded for CPEST activities by late spring 2001.

Each of the 23 jurisdictions:

• selected a CRC screening strategy for those at average risk (colonoscopy; FOBT with sigmoidoscopy; or FOBT alone),
• determined eligibility for their programs,
• began educating the public and providers about CRC screening,
• began contracting with providers for medical screening services and treatment, and
• began screening in the spring of 2001.

Information about cancers targeted by the CRF

Maryland Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Program Information
Maryland Oral Cancer Program Information
Maryland Prostate Cancer Program Information
Maryland Skin Cancer Program Information

Local Health Department Cancer Programs