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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Garcia, M.J.

DATE TYPED 3-18-05

HB

SHORT TITLE “New Mexico Cancer Plan” and Dept. of Health

SB SM 43

ANALYST Collard

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Cancer in NM: Changing Patterns and Emerging Trends

2004 Cancer Facts and Figures, American Cancer Societ)

SUMMARY

Responses Received From

Department of Health (DOH)

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Memorial 43 recognizes DOH for its role in formulating and developing approaches to

detection and treatment of cervical cancer in the “New Mexico Cancer Plan,” which the memo-

rial indicates, serves as a national model of effective cancer control strategies. The memorial

requests DOH to present an annual report on the plan to the governor, the President Pro Tempore

of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and also requests DOH to post the

report on their website.

Significant Issues

DOH states the department appreciates the acknowledgement provided through the memorial.

DOH further recognizes the Human Services Department for the important role they play in pro-

viding treatment for New Mexico women diagnosed with cervical cancer.

The New Mexico Tumor Registry (NMTR) 2001 Annual Report states that there are approxi-

mately 84 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed annually, and 23 fatalities from cervical cancer

Senate Memorial 43 -- Page 2

each year in New Mexico. In addition, the 2001 NMTR Annual report shows that the incidence

rate of cervical cancer among White women dropped dramatically between 1969-1972 (32 per

100,000) and 1998-2001 (5 per 100,000). A similar decrease in the incidence rate of cervical

cancer was seen for Hispanic women, but a less marked decrease was seen for Native American

women in New Mexico over the same time period.

DOH notes the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) New Mexico Cancer Facts and Figures 2000-

2001 indicated that cervical cancer represents approximately 3 percent of all female cancer inci-

dence and 2 percent of female cancer mortality in New Mexico.

According to the ACS, however, cervical cancer is the most amenable to prevention and early

detection. Both the amount of cervical cancer diagnosed and the number of deaths due to it have

decreased as a result of widespread use of the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear test for screening. The

Pap smear is recognized as an effective method for primary prevention of cervical cancer. As

such, cervical cancer screening is a public health priority in New Mexico.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

DOH notes in 2004, fewer than 50 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed in New Mexico.

However existing research concedes that the greatest protection against cervical cancer mortality

is early detection, which is best achieved through regular screening with Pap tests for women.

The New Mexico Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (BCC) has provided

164,534 Pap tests since the Program began in 1991. As a result, 56 invasive cervical cancers,

over 1,000 pre-cancerous conditions requiring treatment. In addition, the New Mexico three-

year relative survival rate for cervical cancer increased from about 70 percent to 85 percent dur-

ing the first four years of the BCC Program, 1990-1991 to 1994-1995.

The BCC Program has made great progress in utilizing feedback from women who participated

in research across the state regarding barriers to seeking breast and cervical cancer screening ser-

vices. In response to findings, the BCC Program revises written outreach materials, such as the

Program brochure, the script for our 1-800 bilingual telephone line, and website information to

more clearly define elements of a well-women examination. An easy-to-read bilingual magazine

(revista) has been designed to specifically address fatalistic beliefs surrounding a diagnosis of

cancer with facts that support the importance of early detection in the reduction of mortality

rates. Various data sources are being evaluated for information on African American women,

Asian women, and women who partner with women to drive the decision of where we must next

focus our outreach efforts.

The New Mexico Cancer Plan is updated on a five-year cycle. However, the BCC Program can

update the governor, president pro tempore of the senate, and the speaker of the house, on annual

basis regarding progress made toward cervical cancer in New Mexico.

The University of New Mexico is in the process of creating a HPV Pap registry and DOH is

changing regulations to require laboratories to report Papanicolaou, HPV and cervical pathology

results to the New Mexico HPV Pap Registry.

KBC/yr:lg