History    

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute is a non-profit, community-based agency working to ease the burden of cancer in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Focusing on research, education & survivorship the Cancer Institute invests all of its resources in this region.

The Cancer Institute was organized in 1991 by Northeastern Pennsylvania hospitals that recognized the value of collaboration and coordination for community cancer control efforts. Today the Cancer Institute partners with Community Medical Center; Geisinger Health System; Marian Community Hospital; Mercy Health Partners; Moses Taylor Hospital/Mid Valley Hospital; Wayne Memorial Health System; Wyoming Valley Health Care System; and various community leaders, volunteers and health care professionals.

The primary service area for the Cancer Institute includes Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties. The Cancer Institute partner hospital and physician network provides the largest cancer diagnosis and treatment service in Pennsylvania in terms of the number of patients served. More than 3,000 new cancer patients are recorded each year through the Cancer Institute Regional Cancer Registry.

The Cancer Epidemiology Research Program at the Cancer Institute studies the incidence, distribution, and control of cancer in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Study results are being used for research strategies and education programs designed to prevent or reduce death and disability from cancer in this community.

The Regional Cancer Registry at the Cancer Institute is the first collaborative regional cancer registry in Pennsylvania. This state-of-the-art system allows more sophisticated recording and reporting of cancer diagnosis, treatment outcomes and clinical research statistics. From a public health standpoint, this service can be extremely valuable as a tool for comprehensive community and hospital planning regarding oncology services, and for long-term projections for the allocation of scarce health care resources.

The Education and Outreach Program at the Cancer Institute offers a wide range of cancer related programs and support services for the community, healthcare professionals, cancer survivors and family members.

• Community Programs – focusing on the prevention and early detection of cancer, these programs are offered through a variety of public forums.
• Healthcare Programs – focusing on the prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer, these professionally accredited programs are offered to healthcare professionals involved in all aspects of cancer care.
• Family of Survivors Programs – focusing on a wide range of survivorship issues, these programs are offered to anyone affected by cancer and include education programs and information resources addressing all aspects of cancer survivorship. In addition, the Cancer Institute honors the courage and strength of those who have battled cancer through survivorship programs including the annual Survivors Celebration, Cancer Survivors Park, and special programs to benefit everyone belonging to Family of Survivors.
• Cancer Risk Program – focusing on cancer risk concerns, this program provides education and resource information for health care professionals, families with histories of cancer, and the general public. The William G. McGowan Charitable Fund and the Willary Foundation provided funding to launch this innovative program.

The Cancer Institute is currently under the leadership of Mary Erwine, RN, MSN, Chair; W. Scott Lynett, Vice-Chair; Robert J. Soper, Treasurer; and Christian S. Adonizio, MD, Secretary.; and President Robert F. Durkin. 

To obtain additional information about the Cancer Institute, the Cancer Epidemiology Research Program, Cancer Risk Program, Regional Cancer Registry, and/or Community Education Programs, call (570) 941-7984 or (570) 970-6543, or e-mail us at admin@cancernepa.org.