San Francisco kicks off public health effort to kick cancer

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco kicked off a major public health effort Wednesday to reduce cancer in the city. Many high-powered partners are joining in this initiative.

Think of this as San Francisco's cancer plan. It's called #SFCAN.

UCSF came up with the idea and brought in the city, Kaiser Permanente, the American Cancer Society and other partners.

As mayor Ed Lee explained in a tweet, the goal is to "provide our residents with preventative cancer screenings."

At a city hall news conference Wednesday morning, leaders of #SFCAN say the plan is funded by a $3 million donation to UCSF.

They'll focus on the five most common cancers in San Francisco, prostate, breast, liver, colorectal and tobacco-related cancers. They'll work to expand awareness, access to screenings, clinical trials and healthcare.

They say minorities and the poor are most likely to be left out right now. The result, African-Americans" have, by far, the highest cancer mortality rates.

"We also have a very strong sense of social justice. Can't think of a better place in the world to do this," said Alan Ashworth of of UCSF Diller Cancer Center.

Cancer not only kills, it hurts the city's bottom line. Hospital and health care for cancer patients costs San Franciscans $213 million a year.

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