DOVER, Del. (April 22, 2026) — On Monday, April 20, 2026, the Delaware Cancer Consortium (DCC) gathered 124  health care professionals, state legislators, and community partners for its biennial retreat. This year’s event marked the milestone 25th anniversary of the DCC and highlighted the important theme of Influencing Change, Inspiring Innovation, and Saving Lives. This theme served as the framework for the day, as attendees reflected on the vital accomplishments achieved over the past 25 years, planned for what’s ahead, and — most importantly — reaffirmed the importance of improving many lives in Delaware.

“We’re beyond thrilled to have celebrated a milestone anniversary with many of the people who make our work as the Consortium meaningful and possible,” said DCC Chair Deborah Brown. “The Consortium is proud of what it has achieved over these 25 years, but our minds are set toward the future and the initiatives ahead. We appreciate the opportunity to gather at the DCC Retreat as well as our quarterly DCC meetings to gain collective feedback on important topics that impact our communities.”

The DCC has three subcommittees that support the overarching goal of decreasing Delaware’s cancer mortality rates: the Early Detection and Prevention Committee, the Cancer Risk Reduction Committee, and the Delaware Cancer Registry Advisory Committee. Combined, these groups have advanced the work of the DCC beyond reducing cancer mortality alone and toward healthier lifestyles.

From 2017 to 2021, Delaware ranked 16th in the United States for all-site cancer deaths, a significant improvement from its second-place ranking in the 1990s. Between 2007 and 2021, the state’s all-site cancer mortality rate decreased by an average of 1.8% per year, outpacing the national rate of decline. During that same period, incidence rates for all-site cancer decreased by an average of 3% per year among non-Hispanic Black males and remained stable among non-Hispanic Black females. From streamlining access to cancer screenings to supporting tobacco cessation and achieving accreditation for all cancer programs, the work of the Consortium has played a meaningful role in improving the health and wellness of Delawareans.

The retreat featured a keynote presentation by Wayne A. I. Frederick, MD, MBA, FACS, Interim President and President Emeritus of Howard University, titled From Disparities to Action: Health Equity in the Medical Profession. Attendees also experienced an interactive walk-through inflatable colon, which included graphics and information highlighting various types of cancer. In addition, Arturo Loaiza-Bonilla, MD, MSEd, FACP, Co-Founder and Chief Medical AI Officer at Massive Bio and St. Luke’s University Health Network, delivered a presentation on Artificial Intelligence Applications in Oncology, showcasing emerging innovations in cancer care.

The Consortium remains dedicated to addressing significant barriers impacting Delawareans’ access to screenings and the services available — so that we continue catching cancer in the early stages, when it is most treatable. For more information on the DCC’s initiatives, committees, and upcoming events, as well as the current five-year plan, visit HealthyDelaware.org/Consortium.

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