Comprehensive Cancer Control Program

Cancer Prevention and Control

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Georgia, causing one out of every five deaths in 2023. In the same year, 18,435 Georgians died of cancer. From 2016-2020, there were an average of 54,240 new cancer diagnoses each year.

The leading causes of cancer-related death among men in Georgia are lung, prostate, colon, and pancreatic cancer. The leading causes of cancer-related death among women in Georgia are lung, breast, colon, and pancreatic cancer. These cancers account for almost 50% of cancer deaths in Georgia.

The most recent five-year state cancer plan,  Georgia Cancer Plan: 2024-2029 , was developed by more than 80 organizations from the Georgia Cancer Control Consortium. The plan lays out Georgia’s approach to preventing and controlling cancer.  The plan highlights the following priority areas of action—

1. Supporting Cancer Prevention Efforts with a focus on HPV prevention
2. Detecting Cancers Early and Screening Appropriately for Target Cancers
3. Facilitating Statewide Access to Palliative Care and Support
4. Improving Quality of Life for Cancer Survivors
5. Maintaining Excellence in the Diagnosis, Staging, and Treatment of Cancers

Comprehensive Cancer Control Program 

The Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Control Program within the Georgia Department of Public Health oversees the implementation of the statewide cancer plan, carries out programmatic activities, and maintains the partnerships essential to reducing cancer-related morbidity and mortality. 

Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Evaluation

Visit the Evaluation page to view a logic model and evaluation plan for the Comprehensive Cancer Control Program. 

Cancer Prevention and Control Partners

Partners play an essential role in preventing and controlling all chronic diseases, including cancer. More than 80 organizations contributed to the development of the state cancer plan and participate in the Georgia Cancer Control Consortium. 

Georgia CORE

The Georgia Center for Oncology Research & Education (CORE), which continues to lead statewide efforts to offer survivorship care to cancer survivors in Georgia is a key partner. Visit GeorgiaCancerInfo to read more about survivors’ unique cancer journeys in Georgia.

The Regional Cancer Coalitions of Georgia also play an important role in working with local public health and health care system partners to meet local community needs—

• Horizons Community Solutions (formerly Cancer Coalition of South Georgia)
• Community Health Works
• East Georgia Cancer Coalition
• Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition
• West Central Georgia Cancer Coalition

Cancer State Aid

The Cancer State Aid (CSA) Program was established by O.C.G.A. § 31-15-2 in 1937 by the Georgia legislature to support access to cancer diagnostic and treatment services for eligible uninsured and under-insured Georgians.

Program priorities:

• Funding access to diagnostic, staging, and treatment planning services
• Funding access to standard cancer active treatment services

Hospitals, freestanding radiation centers, and pharmacies are the current contracted partners that provide services funded by CSA.

For more information about the work of Cancer State Aid, please visit: https://dph.georgia.gov/cancer-aid

Breast and Cervical Cancer Program 

The Georgia Department of Public Health provides breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic services and referral to treatment as medically indicated to uninsured and underinsured women residing in Georgia. 

Services include:

• Mammogram/Clinical breast exam
• Pap smear and HPV test
• Pelvic Exam
• Diagnostic services
• Patient navigation and referrals
• Genetic testing

For more information about the work of Cancer State Aid, please visit: https://dph.georgia.gov/cancer-aid: https://dph.georgia.gov/BCCP

Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Registry Program

The Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Registry (GCCR) is a statewide population-based cancer registry collecting all cancer cases diagnosed among Georgia residents since January 1, 1995. This information furthers our understanding of cancer and is used to develop strategies and policies for prevention, intervention, control, and treatment.

Goals:

• To collect information on all newly diagnosed cancer cases.
• To calculate cancer incidence rates for the state of Georgia.
• To make data available to the public and health care professionals.
• To identify and evaluate cancer morbidity and mortality trends and problems on an ongoing basis.
• To provide cancer incidence and mortality data to cancer control programs to assist them in developing strategies and evaluating their effectiveness.
• To stimulate cancer control research.

For more information about the work of the Cancer Registry, please visit: https://dph.georgia.gov/chronic-disease-prevention/georgia-comprehensive-cancer-registry

Last reviewed 1/14/26