Professional Associations and Activities to Promote Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Screening in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has commissioned a set of studies to investigate the potential to increase state cancer screening rates in Massachusetts through various spheres of influence, including professional associations, employers, and health plans. Mathematica Policy Research conducted the study that focused on professional associations as the sphere of influence and their role in affecting state screening rates for three types of cancer: breast, cervical, and colorectal. The goals of the study were to understand the current and future roles and activities of professional associations related to cancer screening and to determine ways in which MDPH can collaborate with these associations to increase screening rates. From August to October 2011, we interviewed representatives from 15 professional associations in Massachusetts.